Will Pooran's presence push Yorkshire into knockout stage?

T20 BLAST PREVIEW: Andrew Gale's team will be looking make a rare trip to Finals Day in 2019

Coach: Andrew Gale

Captain: Steven Patterson

Overseas: Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)

Last season: 5th (North Division)

How did they do last year? 

Yorkshire finished just one win short of making the quarter-finals in 2018. One of the few sides not to lose any games to rain, the Vikings won seven of their 14 games – crucially losing both Roses’ matches to arch-rivals Lancashire. It could have been so different for Gale’s men had they won them. 

^{Nicholas Pooran adds international experience}

Who are their key players?

Newly signed Nicholas Pooran will be Yorkshire’s star player this season. The 23-year-old, who strikes at a rate of 144.82, is one of the format’s most treasured batters having played in almost every T20 tournament in the world. The West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman struck his maiden international century against Sri Lanka at the cricket World Cup.

Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are both excellent openers in the white-ball game, and while he may be not be known for his T20 credentials, Gary Ballance, who strikes at 123.21, is still a handy player. It’s also important to note Jonny Tattersall, who has reinvented himself into a finisher over the last two years.

In the bowling department, Yorkshire have international quality in Adil Rashid, Duanne Olivier and David Willey. And let’s not forget about cult hero Tim Bresnan, who is always capable of producing something special.

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What are their biggest strengths? 

Their opening four batters – Lyth, Kolher-Cadmore, Willey and Pooran – will be a formidable and explosive prospect. Regarding the bowling, the attack of Rashid, Olivier and Willey is capable of demoralising any top order in T20 cricket. And in Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, Yorkshire also have two England internationals to potentially come in. 

^{Adam Lyth will play a key role at the top of the order}

Where might they have a weakness?

This Yorkshire side is far from settled. Pooran is only available for five matches, Ballance and Rashid – although unlikely – could be called up to England’s Ashes squad, and the chances of Root and Bairstow being given time off are slim. There’s also no Kane Williamson this season – who is a loss to any team – and Liam Plunkett and Jack Brooks have left for pastures new.

Chances of reaching Finals Day?

If the Vikings make it out of the North Division, that will be an achievement. Calling them dark horses would be a complement.

Strongest XI (with T20 Player Index ratings): Adam Lyth (176), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (265), David Willey (15), Nicholas Pooran (80), Gary Ballance (565), Jonny Tattersall (624), Tim Bresnan (229), Jordan Thompson (714), Adil Rashid (105), Steve Patterson (309), Duanne Olivier (872)

Fixtures: Jul 19 -Notts (h), July 20 - Derbyshire (a), Jul 23 - Leicesterhsire (a), Jul 25 - Lancashire (h), Jul 28 - Northants (a), Aug 2 - Worcestershire (h), Aug 4 - Birmingham (h), Aug 9 - Lancashire (a), Aug 11 - Derbyshire (h), Aug 16 - Durham (h), Aug 18 - Nottinghamshire (h), Aug 23 - Durham (a), Aug 25 - Notts (a), Aug 29 - Northants (h), Aug 30 - Birmingham (a)

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