Strong Yorkshire, Strong England Mantra Will Be Up For Debate Again
The Cricket Paper|March 24,2017

Chris Pratt pores over decades of statistics to analyse one of cricket’s great theories.

Chris Pratt
Strong Yorkshire, Strong England Mantra Will Be Up For Debate Again

When Yorkshire are strong, England are strong. As per the famous saying often heard on the Western Terrace as England slay another Test nation at Headingley. Also often heard over the radio waves of Test Match Special as Geoffrey Boycott, standard bearer of Yorkshire cricket, lauds another century plundered from a Yorkshire bat. But is it true? And can it be proven?

I was present in Leeds last summer as Jonny Bairstow scored his maiden domestic Test century against an inexperienced Sri Lanka team arguably intimidated by the atmosphere in the ground that day. Bairstow was imperious and despite being on the international scene for a while it seemed another Yorkshire hero was born.

Fred Trueman, Michael Vaughan and Sir Leonard Hutton had claimed this mantle in previous years.

It is clear that the White Rose has contributed greatly to the nation’s cricket team over the years, but to what extent?

The origins of the famous saying are unclear as Vic Marks pointed out in his article in The Guardian in November 2014. Marks went on to quote the Yorkshire Post columnist Chris Waters after Yorkshire’s 2014 County Championship triumph. Waters’ quotes mirror the depth of feeling for cricket in the county.

“For what is cricket without Yorkshire? Yorkshire is cricket, or at least it is to the people of Yorkshire. This is God’s own county, a God that created cricket, a God that created Yorkshire cricket with all its serpents in the garden, its many imperfections, but also its wondrous, aweinspiring beauty and capacity to inspire. The old adage that a ‘strong Yorkshire is a strong England’ really means that a strong Yorkshire is essential to the health of English cricket in general.”

Esta historia es de la edición March 24,2017 de The Cricket Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 24,2017 de The Cricket Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE CRICKET PAPERVer todo
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 27, 2020