Gough talks up Yorkshire chances

County Cricket / Editor / 22 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

feels Yorkshire's opening performance in the County Championship indicates his side can have a successful season.

The Tykes started their campaign with a comprehensive 346-run victory over Surrey at The Oval, a win that gave them 22 points and an early lead in Division One.

It's all change at Headingley this term, with the likes of Younis Kahn and Jacques Rudolph joining several highly-rated young players in a side captained by the returning Gough.

The former England and Essex paceman was, not surprisingly, delighted by his team's start to the season and believes there is more to come.

Gough said: "We could surprise a few teams this year along the way if we play this sort of cricket. The body language was excellent throughout.

"I'm not saying we'll play like that every game. We're going to lose games but hopefully we'll win games also."

He added: "To have played against a quality side like Surrey, where nearly every player is a Test player, and to put up a performance like that with bat and ball on an excellent wicket was awesome."

Yorkshire are trading at 8.6 to repeat their Championship success of 2001, with Hampshire - who have Shane Warne back in their ranks - heading the market at 3.25.

Defending champions Sussex are available at 3.8, while Yorkshire's Roses rivals Lancashire can be backed at 4.4.