Yorkshire Cricket: Covers Off

This week's Covers Off Podcast features former Yorkshire player and coach Kevin Sharp. The former White Rose batsmen, who now works at Worcestershire, chats through his career with Richard Pyrah and Steven Patterson, including his work with Joe Root who he coached from the England captains introduction to elite cricket at Yorkshire.

The Covers Off Podcast is back! The opening episode of the second series features two of Yorkshire's young guns, Matthew Fisher and Jordan Thompson. The pair talk through their early years in cricket, their current training regimes under Covid-19 protocols and are quizzed by hosts Richard Pyrah and Steve Patterson on their aspirations for the season.

The Covers Off Podcast, brought to you in association with AMT Auto, swaps cricket whites for chef whites with this week's special guest, Tommy Banks. Banks discusses mixing his love for cooking and cricket after it was confirmed that he will be heading up the new Edrich Restaurant at Lord's next summer. As one of the most revered chefs in the UK, Banks tells us about his aspirations of becoming a cricketer before working as head chef at a Michelin star restaurant in York, and his love for the game, especially the White Rose. The Yorkshireman tells us ultimate cricket tea and what is was like facing Yorkshire's bowlers in the nets earlier this year.

The Covers Off Podcast features Yorkshire and England legend Darren Gough. A destructive bowler in his time, the former White Rose captain has forged a successful career in the media and has many a great tale to tell. Gough reminisces with hosts Richard Pyrah and Steve Patterson, with the Barnsley-born fast bowler having played a significant role in each of their careers. There's stories of old Yorkshire dressing rooms, a discussion around the way the game has changed over the years and a hint at the future for Gough, who is keen to get involved in cricket again soon.

The Covers Off Podcast focuses on the positive progress in women's cricket this week, and who better to join us than Yorkshire and England's Lauren Winfield-Hill. Winfield-Hill chats to Bowling Coach and former Yorkshire Diamonds Head Coach Richard Pyrah and Club Captain Steven Patterson about her cricketing journey to date. The Northern Diamonds captain talks about an eventful year, and in-particular a week that went from washed out World Cup woes to wedded bliss. The batter also reflects on how women's cricket will continue to grow with increased opportunities to play, hopefully culminating in more moments like at Lord's in 2017.

The Covers Off Podcast is back following a busy August and September, and who better to review the season than First XI Coach Andrew Gale. Richard Pyrah and Steven Patterson chat to Gale about his long-standing relationship with Yorkshire, from coming through the academy, to winning the County Championship twice as captain and coaching during a transitional period for the Club. The trio look back on a shortened season following a disrupted start to the summer. Gale talks about the positives around the season, especially the consistency that his young side showed throughout the Bob Willis Trophy campaign. Finally, our quick-fire questions throws up which county cricket great Gale is an awe of and no surprises who he considers the vainest at Yorkshire…. 

This week's Covers Off Podcast guest is former Yorkshire coach and Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie. Recorded ahead of Yorkshire's trip to Trent Bridge in the Bob Willis Trophy, ‘Dizzy' talks to Richard Pyrah and Steven Patterson about his cricketing journey, from playing in one of the great Australian bowling line-ups in history, to coaching in England via Zimbabwe! Gillespie spoke about his interview for the role and how Sir Geoffrey Boycott may have let it slip before being offered the role. The trio also reminisce about the double-championship winning side, one of the great modern day Yorkshire teams. 

Richard Pyrah and Steven Patterson are joined by Wayne Morton, a man who has been around the Yorkshire squad for 36 years! Morton has experienced life in sports medicine for Yorkshire, England and Leeds Rhinos, but recalls stories as social secretary, knocking himself out in a dugout and leading an England training session whilst Ray Illingworth plays golf. The trio discuss how cricketers have changed their approaches over the years, after making his Yorkshire professional physio debut on the day of Live Aid!

Covers Off has a new presenting line-up for episode 15, but a very familiar voice in this week's guest, England and Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow. Richard Pyrah and Steven Patterson hear how one of the World Cup heroes followed in the footsteps of his Yorkshire legend father David to become one of the most revered cricketers in world cricket. Bairstow talks about his experience of playing at the highest level, from opening the batting with Australian rival David Warner in the IPL, to the pressures of playing an international tournament on home soil.   The batsman also talks through a seemingly unorthodox approach to batting after sleeping on the floor ahead of an innings! 

This week's Covers Off Podcast is the last for our very own Tim Bresnan, so it was only right that we invited Yorkshire Captain Steven Patterson on to wish him well. Patterson gets his own back on Bresnan by lifting the lid on some classic stories from their time together at Yorkshire, from bamboo scaffolding to chartering flights… It would be rude not to ask the man himself to take part in the Steven Patterson nickname game. Is he able to beat the current leader Anthony McGrath? Finally, an emotional Bresnan thanks his team mates and Members for a fantastic 19 years with the White Rose.

Covers Off has another huge name on the microphone with Indian spin king Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin reveals his fascinating cricket story, from playing in the streets with his neighbours as a five-year-old to being arguably the best spin bowler in world cricket at the moment.  The Indian international tells us what is keeping him occupied during lockdown, why he enjoys playing county cricket so much and what made him want to join Yorkshire in 2020. As a player who has played 71 Test Matches, 111 ODIs and countless matches in the IPL, you won't be surprised to hear that Ashwin's six-a-side team is simply ridiculous! 

Covers Off is delighted to welcome an England and Yorkshire legend in Michael Vaughan for episode 12. Vaughan talks through his cricketing journey after (whisper it quietly) moving from Manchester to Sheffield at a young age. The former England skipper tells Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah why his favourite memories in cricket came during his early years at Yorkshire and reveals his philosophy as Captain which inspired England to one of the most famous Ashes series victories in Test history. Vaughan answers your Twitter questions, including how one of his favourite Test centuries came at Headingley and his thoughts when previous guest Anthony McGrath took the gloves during Vaughan's first game as Captain at Lord's in 2003.

On the day that would have been the Game of Roses, Covers Off talks to Yorkshire's new T20 Captain David Willey. Willey talks about his route into cricket at Northamptonshire, playing four years in the Big Bash under Justin Langer, his experiences with England and his new love for gardening!  The all-rounder also sets out his plans for the team and shares his thoughts on how to move the Yorkshire Vikings forward in this format of the game.

This week Covers Off shines a light on our very own Tim Bresnan who reflects on a stellar career to date. Richard Pyrah and Producer Kate run through a cricket CV that includes two Ashes victories, one T20 World Cup, two County Championships and one Big Bash. Bresnan lifts the lid on which England player was responsible for the sprinkler down under and what happens when you're accidentally left with a hotel master key on tour. The trio also look back on some of their favourite moments from the Covers Off podcasts so far.  

Former Yorkshire opening batsman Matthew Wood is the special guest for the ninth episode of the Covers Off Podcast. Hosts Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah lift the lid on life in the Yorkshire squad with Wood, including an eventful cricket trip to Belfast, Steven Patterson's suspected broken arm (maybe) off the bowling of Tino Best and an Anthony McGrath prank on Dominic Cork. Before learning that you should never let Tim Bresnan book your flight to Spain, Wood talks through his current role as a Personal Development Manager at the Professional Cricketers' Association and how important this support is for young cricketers. 

Former England and Leeds United goalkeeper Nigel Martyn is the special guest for episode eight of the Covers Off podcast. It was only a matter of time before supporters Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah spoke to a Leeds legend. They discuss Martyn's glittering playing career which blossomed thanks to the Bristol Rovers Tea Lady. A regular attendee at Emerald Headingley, the former goalkeeper also talks about his love for cricket and playing as a wicketkeeper batsman for Knaresbrorough.

Gary Ballance is occupying the crease on episode seven of the Yorkshire Cricket Covers Off Podcast. The Yorkshire batsman takes an entertaining look through his career, from rooming with Joe Root, his obsession with batting and how to enjoy a victory. Ballance also gives an honest account of his England career to date and the challenges of international cricket.

Our lockdown coverage continues as hosts Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah are joined by Richard Damms. The Academy's Head Coach gives an insight into what Yorkshire look for in young hopefuls and his experience of working with players who have gone on to play for the White Rose's first team. Damms also talks about the lighter side of Academy life, and strange requests from players, including a young Yorkshire bowler requesting 'indoor sawdust'.

Hosts Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah are back together and joined by another Yorkshire stalwart in Anthony McGrath. The former all-rounder talks about his illustrious career at Emerald Headingley and an eventful final Test Match for England. 'Mags' also reminisces about some of his infamous pranks, and is the former White Rose Captain the 'Yorkshire Snipper'?! Sit back, enjoy, and be sure to subscribe and listen to some fantastic podcasts, including England Captain Joe Root.

Richard Pyrah is back and takes the reins for the fourth episode of the Yorkshire Cricket Podcast - Covers Off this week.  In this episode, Pyrah is joined by Yorkshire's Duanne Olivier who is currently on lockdown at his home in South Africa. The fast bowler talks through his impressive career to date and speaks openly about his decision to join Yorkshire. Pyrah is also joined by dressing room attendant Mick Cadmore who offers yet more insight into the Yorkshire camp.

Tim Bresnan is on his own again this week bringing you the third episode of the Yorkshire Cricket Podcast - Covers Off. In this episode, Bresnan is joined by former England international and Yorkshire's opening batsman Adam Lyth, a man who is unwittingly no stranger to the podcast! Lyth's general knowledge is put to the test before opening up about his career to date and what the future holds.

Hosts Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah bring you the second installment of Yorkshire Cricket Podcast - Covers Off. Touching on a range of topics from the cricket world and inside the Yorkshire dressing room including; This week with England Captain Joe Root, some more Adam Lyth classics and much more! Sit back, enjoy, and be sure to subscribe with more great podcasts coming your way! NB. No Pyrah No Party this week...(He got furloughed)

Hosts Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah bring you the very first Yorkshire Cricket Podcast - Covers Off. Touching on a range of topics from the cricket world and inside the Yorkshire dressing room including; Martyn Moxon's skincare regime, pride from winning back-to-back Championships, some Adam Lyth classics and much more! Sit back and enjoy, and be sure to subscribe with more great podcasts coming your way!