GARY BALLANCE hailed Yorkshire’s 164-run Championship win over Nottinghamshire at Emerald Headingley, saying: “I was happy with everything.”

The White Rose completed their first Specsavers Division One win of 2018 inside the first hour of day four as Ben Coad took the last two Notts wickets to claim six in the second innings and 10-130 in the match.

Notts, chasing a target of 403, were bowled out for 238, with Coad striking twice in an over immediately after switching ends to Kirkstall Lane.

Ninth-wicket pair Jake Ball and Tom Moores held them up with a 66-run stand, but it was inevitable the hosts would claim 21 points from their second match of the season.

From being reduced to 93-5 during the opening morning, this was a dominant home performance.

“We played some very good cricket over the four days and deserved to get the win,” said captain Ballance. “Everyone has contributed, and it’s a great start to the year.

“It’s been hard the last few weeks. We’ve had a lot of injuries and lost a couple of lads to the IPL. But no one’s moaned. We’ve got on with it, and I’m very pleased with the performance.

“I was happy with everything.

“Getting 256 in that first innings was a great effort. Andrew Hodd played an outstanding knock (62) and got us to a decent score.

“Then, with the ball over the course of the game, we were very good. Even if we had a bad few overs, we bounced back.

“Overall, it was a good team win.”

Ballance hit a superb 82 in the second innings, but he said: “I should have got a hundred.

“It’s good to spend some time in the middle having not played much cricket. But, if I get an opportunity to get a big score, I need to do it next time.”

Coad, however, was Yorkshire’s standout performer, starting with four wickets in the first innings. He carried on the form which saw him claim 50 Championship victims last season in his breakthrough campaign.

Whisper it quietly, but new England selector Ed Smith has to take notice.

“Why not?” said Ballance when asked about a Test call.

“Ben’s had an injury (hip flexor) over the last few weeks, but he’s come back from that.

“He keeps wanting to improve following last year, which is a great thing. He’s started the season brilliantly.

“He’s a wicket-taker, and if he’s not taking wickets he doesn't go for runs. He’s a very good bowler, and there’s no reason why he can’t go further in his career.

“He’s played for a year and a bit now, and he keeps taking wickets.

“He’s the kind of the lad who’s never happy. He wants to improve. If he keeps doing that, there’s an opportunity down the line for him.

“We always say ‘You’ve never got enough batting or bowling’, and he’s got that attitude.”

Yorkshire face the first of four successive Championship away games on Friday when they visit Somerset at Taunton.

They have three before next month’s break for the Royal London one-day Cup and another in mid-June.

Their next Championship game at Headingley is not until August 29 against Somerset, by which time they will have been to Scarborough twice.

Injured seamers Steve Patterson and Matthew Fisher will miss Taunton, but spinners Azeem Rafiq and Karl Carver will come into consideration.