DAVID BYAS came full circle in following Vic Wilson, as a left-handed number
three batsman who farmed in the North Riding, by becoming captain at the end of last season. His batting won him a
place in the England squad and his leadership quality, revealed over the last two years,
made him a natural candidate to replace Martyn Moxon.
MICHAEL BEVAN made a slow start in the damp cold spring, but once the sun shone
he fulfilled his reputation as one of the world's most devastating batsmen. His brilliant
fielding also helped, with his tactical acumen, to make him an outstanding signing.
MARTYN MOXON, in his last season as captain, had the best batting summer of his career
despite two thumb injuries. He would have been selected for England but for the selectors'
concern of another hand injury. Yorkshire will hope he can crown an outstanding career with
valuable years as senior professional, a crucial position in a successful side.
DARREN GOUGH took his setbacks, through injury and then loss of form, sensibly. This
maintained the England selectors'
confidence in his ability and resulted in his selection for the Winter tour to South Africa. If the wine and roses came too
soon, the road has been hard since his return from Australia.
CRAIG WHITE spent much of the summer trying to recover the pre-injury form that
made him such a useful all-rounder for both Yorkshire and England. He might have welcomed a
rest from international calls in order to make a full recovery but the selectors were clearly
reluctant to release him.
RICHARD STEMP bowled 610 overs for his 36 wickets, both his captain and the selectors
believing practice and exposure would best help the country's potentially most talented
spinner. If experience brings consistency an England place awaits.
ANTHONY McGRATH is now generally recognised as probably the most outstanding young
batsman in England. His technique, temperament and appetite for runs brought him an early England 'A' place
and further promotion seems not only inevitable but sooner than expected.
PETER HARTLEY enters a benefit year off the back of a very impressive season
collecting 81 wickets at an average of 22.98. His tremendous achievements will hopefully
be handsomely rewarded in 1996.
RICHARD BLAKEY confirmed long-term predictions that he would
emerge as a top class wicketkeeper but as his form with the gloves improved his batting
average fell disappointingly. No-one questions his ability to return as a Test-class
wicketkeeper/batsman.
MARK ROBINSON was the second-highest wicket-taker in first class cricket this season,
however he may have been
disappointed that his return did not match recent years. He always gives 100 per cent even if the results do not always match
expectations.
MICHAEL VAUGHAN made another steady advance, this time to his County Cap. At 21 he enters
his third full season, having twice passed 1,000 runs and ten times passed 50 last summer. In addition,
his increasingly useful off-spin has become a valuable option.
CHRIS SILVERWOOD'S final figures did not truly reflect some successful and interesting
bowling spells along with some encouraging adventures with the bat. A hungry and thinking cricketer
who will make a valuable player.
GAVIN HAMILTON bowled some genuinely fast spells and as experience brings greater control
he is emerging as an
opening bowler of distinct promise. He has also been impressive in his application towards learning the other skills.
RICHARD KETTLEBOROUGH's heavy scoring for the 2nd XI forced his promotion to first-class
cricket after
several one-day appearances. His all-round quality makes him a very firm contender for a regular place in the First XI team.
COLIN CHAPMAN continues to fill an invaluable role as wicketkeeper/batsman deputy to
Richard Blakey. As one of
the senior players in the squad he has continued to make substantial contributions to Yorkshire's 2nd XI success.
ALEX MORRIS is the new England u19 captain, a tall elegant left-handed batsman he is
capable of playing a really big innings. His tremendous potential will make him difficult to keep out of
first team selection discussions when he is free of international duty.
CHRIS SCHOFIELD had a Summer of consolidation after his remarkable advances of the
previous years and his quality batting kept him among the young England hierarchy.
ALEX WHARF delayed by injury, was unable to build upon his promising start in 1994 and
will be aiming in this coming campaign to regain his place in the pecking order of young fast bowlers.
RYAN SIDEBOTTOM is unfortunately going to have to live with being the son of a famous
father. However, he has all the credentials for becoming as successful. A tall left arm bowler with a lively action, he
benefited greatly from a season playing in the Academy Yorkshire League team. He was one of several of our young
players who gained representative honours for the England U17's.
MATTHEW HOGGARD.This right arm fast bowler was brought to the attention of the County
Coaches by
Phil Carrick who had seen Matthew make tremendous progress whilst playing for Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League.
MATTHEW WOOD a right hand opening batsman of undoubted quality has already shown his
potential with a highest score of
137 in the 2nd XI v. Northants at Oundle School. This was only one of several impressive performances in 1995. He will no
doubt have benefited greatly from spending part of the Winter playing club cricket in Cape Town and hopefully gained more
experience during the England U19 tour in Zimbabwe.
PAUL HUTCHISON is another left arm bowler who can produce hostile bursts with the
ability to move the ball both ways.
No doubt he will be able to improve on this effort as he develops physically. He was also been selected to tour Zimbabwe.
Although his opportunities of playing in the 2nd XI were limited he produced solid rather than spectacular performances.
GARETH BATTY is again a familiar name to Yorkshire followers being the the younger
brother of
former player Jeremy. He is another of our crop of exceptional young talent and has earned his rapid promotion after only
one year on the Academy Staff. A very determined young batsman who is also capable of contributing with his more than useful
off-spin. He is one of our three representatives on the England U19 Tour to Zimbabwe.