Smith reflects on seconds' summer

Tom Smith says there have been some “really good performances” at second-team level this summer even if the results have been “a bit up and down”.

Yorkshire’s second XI coach has been reflecting on another progressive summer, highlighted by five players advancing their games to the stage where the county have offered them maiden professional contracts ahead of 2026.

Will Bennison and Matthew Firbank were first during the heart of the summer. They went on to make first-team debuts in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup and earn England Under 19s call-ups.

Both will tour the Caribbean from mid-November and into December.

Then, only last week, Jay Singh, Owen Smith and Charlie H Taylor followed suit on signing rookie pro terms at Headingley.

“It’s massive for those lads,” said former England Lions all-rounder Smith. “For five of them to get deals, it shows that they came from a strong age-group.

“Now they have the opportunity to become professional cricketers and move forwards.

“They’ll have exciting winters because I think all are going away to play, either for the Under 19s or in Australia. I’m sure they will come back ready and raring to go.”

Yorkshire played in two competitions this summer, red-ball Championship and T20s, added to a number of friendlies.

The Championship saw a new format for 2025, with the 18 counties split into three random groups of six, each playing five games ahead of a final at Loughborough in September. The best two group winners advanced, being Surrey and Worcestershire. The former were crowned the champions.

Yorkshire finished joint third in their group, winning one, drawing two and losing two.

Noah Kelly finished as the top run-scorer with 347 from five games, including a century. Spinner Joe Pocklington, who went on to sign for Nottinghamshire, led the way with 16 wickets from only two appearances.

The White Rose won six of eight red-ball friendlies, drawing the other two.

Left-handed Kelly again led the way with 587 runs in those friendlies, while Harry Duke also topped the 500-run mark. Matt Milnes took 18 wickets in those friendlies.

Bennison produced the standout individual performance with 203 against Warwickshire at the Edgbaston Community Ground in the opening game of the season, his second-innings effort helping Yorkshire chase down a final-day target of 403.

In the T20 competition, won by Warwickshire, Yorkshire won only one of their 10 group matches.

Will Luxton was their leading run-scorer with 167 from four appearances, while leg-spinner Jafer Chohan’s haul of 14 wickets included an impressive five-for.

“We’ve had a lot of players play through various different situations,” reflected Smith. “And we’ve created opportunities for some young lads within the Pathway.

“We played a Championship match at the start of September against Surrey at Guildford where Yash Vagadia at 21 was the oldest player we picked.

“Subhaan Ali debuted and played again at Somerset the following week, when Rizwan Ishfaq debuted. They’re both 16/17 and are promising players. But we have more as well who will hopefully get their chance next year.

“I think the second-team season has shown some really good performances.

“Will Bennison is one to note given his 200 at the start of the year, Noah Kelly getting his first second-team hundred, Yash Vagadia has done well, Harry Duke too.

“In the various competitions, we have been a bit up and down results wise. But that’s the nature of second-team cricket.

“Hopefully the development of the players will be in a better place next year because of the experience.”

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