The Yorkshire County Cricket Yearbook 2018 (Hardback)

The fact that Yorkshire could not quite manage to add silverware to their trophy cupboard in 2017 does not mean that they failed to turn in some exhilarating performances which provided rich entertainment for their loyal fans. Although it was particularly disappointing to struggle in the County Championship, there was a collective sigh of relief when Yorkshire avoided relegation by completing the double over Warwickshire and coach Andrew Gale and captain Gary Ballance are determined that their team will challenge strongly for honours in 2018.

Any thoughts that Ballance's form would be adversely affected by taking over the captaincy were quickly dispelled as he piled up the runs in the Championship, hitting 815 in the first seven matches at an average of over 100 to regain his Test place. Injuries throughout the season to several of their key fast bowlers proved to be a drawback but these resulted in young paceman, Ben Coad, being given his chance and he made the most of it in dramatic fashion by grabbing 50 Championship wickets and thereby sealing a permanent place in the side.

Well that Ballance and Coad performed, however, it was the Club's beneficiary, Steven Patterson, who was ultimately responsible for making sure that Yorkshire stayed in the top division with a match-winning innings against Warwickshire at Headingley in September when all appeared lost.

Yorkshire's old warhorse, Ryan Sidebottom, who finally hung up his boots at the end of the season, was denied a last

hurrah on his home ground in this match because of injury but he was given a guard of honour by his team-mates and a

rousing send-off by the fans.

It was tough luck on Yorkshire that they failed to make the semi-finals of the Royal London 50-Overs Cup or Finals Day

in the NatWest T20 Blast because they played some splendid cricket in both competitions. Jonny Bairstow, one of several Yorkshire players whose appearances were limited because of England duties, thrashed 174 against Durham at Headingley in the RL Cup to record Yorkshire's third highest List A score, and Ballance himself turned on the style with an unbeaten 152 against Northamptonshire at Northampton.

But the batting performance of the summer belonged to Adam Lyth when he went ballistic in the final T20 match against Northamptonshire at Headingley, his 161 being the highest score ever recorded in this country in this form of cricket.

Every exciting innings and every fine bowling performance is faithfully recorded in the 2018 Yearbook and, once again,

the publication is packed with interesting and informative articles by a wide range of expert writers who were on hand

throughout the season to record the highlights and lowlights of the campaign.

The playing records and Club statistics have also been fully updated, making the Yearbook a 'must' for all followers of the

White Rose county.