Tykes braced for 'battle of the bowlers'

11:01am Tuesday 29th April 2008

YORKSHIRE batting hero Andrew Gale is backing the county's bowlers to shoot down Nottinghamshire at Headingley.

The Tykes are on a high after a superb weekend that included a four-day win over Hampshire and a Friends Provident Trophy victory over Derbyshire.

But they will have to be at their best tomorrow against a Notts side boasting England pace duo Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad.

Left-hander Gale, who scored a fine 138 against Hampshire, said: "I think they've got a number of good bowlers.

"Ryan Sidebottom's had an excellent winter. Then after him, they've got the likes of Charlie Shreck and Stuart Broad, backed up with the experience of Mark Ealham and Graeme Swann's spin.

"But I'd look at us and say we've got Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough, Deon Kruis, Adil Rashid and Morne Morkel now, so I'll back our attack over theirs any day."

Running through the names on display this week, the fixture has all the hallmarks of a Test match.

That has been further demonstrated by the arrival of South African all-rounder Morne Morkel.

Morkel will join up with the Tykes squad today ahead of his debut.

Meanwhile, Gale has set his sights on nailing down a place in the four-day side.

The 24-year-old has mainly featured in the one-day arena in recent times, but his second career first-class ton last week has boosted his confidence.

Gale said: "I have always wanted to get in the Championship side, and trying to cement that number five spot is my number one priority.

"My innings against Hampshire gave me a lot of confidence. I was looking down Hampshire's team the night before, and it was always going to be difficult with the likes of Chris Tremlett and Shane Bond in there. But I managed to hang in on what was a typical early season Headingley pitch.

"If we can go out there and get ourselves in, I'm sure we'll be able to post a really good score again, which will put us in a strong position."

The game will be another opportunity for England skipper Michael Vaughan to build confidence.

Vaughan failed with the bat again on Sunday, scoring just 16 against Derbyshire, but Gale said: "I have no doubt that he will come good. There is nothing to worry about."

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