THE CORRIDOR'S ONE TO WATCH IN 2007 - ANDREW GALE

Andrew Gale
By Richard Watts
January 12 2007

2007 is a season where Yorkshire will need their young guns to fire if they are going to compete. The Corridor of Uncertainty's new cricket correspondant Richard Watts believes that 23-year-old Andrew Gale can take a huge stride forward in 2007, turning his huge potential into valuable runs.

The departures of Michael Lumb, Darren Lehmann and Anthony McGrath have left a big hole in Yorkshire’s middle order and the stylish left hander Andrew Gale is sure to be given the opportunity to grab a regular place in the side.

To date Gale has only played in nine first class games and scored 297 runs at 18.56. But those who saw him make 149 of those in a career best innings at Scarborough last season will have no doubt that he has the talent to take his chance.

Gale was first seen in top class cricket at the age of 17 when he appeared in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy for the Yorkshire Cricket Board in 2001. Five runs on his debut was nothing special but he was up and running. 2002 saw Gale appear in the second X1 and in his third game of the season he delivered the goods. 164 not out in a total of 312 v Leicestershire, a game that Yorkshire won by 10 wickets.

This led to England Under 19 honours - a home series against India, followed by a tour to Australia. His record in the “tests” was not great (a top score of 37) but he was seen at his best in a One Day International against India at Taunton when he made 77 off 82 balls sharing an opening stand of 201 with Kadeer Ali.

Gale spent 2003 in Yorkshire’s Second X1, making steady rather than spectacular progress, with a top score of 67 v Lancashire in the Second X1 trophy.

After a slow start to 2004, Gale hit top form in May when making 201 for Yorkshire’s Second X1 against a combined Kent and Middlesex Second X1. This innings earnt a return to first team cricket. A few appearances in limited overs matches in July included 38 off 22 balls in the Twenty 20 Cup v Notts and 33 off 33 balls v Middlesex. Successive half centuries in the Second X1 Championship ensured a County Championship debut v Somerset at Scarborough in July followed. A second ball duck and 9 were his contributions, but in the Tote Sport League game at the same ground an excellent 70 off 88 balls in a Yorkshire win was his best First Team effort to date. Gale played a couple more Championship games that season with 29 v Derbyshire his best score in an opening stand of 64 with Matthew Wood.

It was back to the Second X1 in 2005, 113 ball century v Lancashire in the Second X1 Trophy in June was the highlight of the early part of the season. A 96 v Sussex, 62 v Durham and 76 v Glamorgan earned a first team recall at the end of the season for three Tote Sport League games, 38 from 47 balls being Gale’s highest score.

Gale made a great start to 2006 in the Second X1 with 183 v Durham, 123 against Surrey and then 99 v Sussex. That form brought a first team re-call v Middlesex but it was spoilt by former team mate Chris Silverwood who dismissed him for 0 and 2. Back to the Second X1 to score 82 and 44 v Northants and then a return to the First X1 for a run of limited over games. 63 not out v Leicester, 50 v Nottinghamshire being the left handers best efforts.

Then on 19 July it was back to County Championship action at Scarborough v Warwickshire for what to date has been Gale’s finest first team moment. He gave a dropped chance when on 51, but progressed to strike some thunderous shots in making 149 from 208 balls (23 fours and 1 six) sharing century partnerships with Lumb and Brophy. This was an innings that helped set up a Yorkshire win, a task that was completed with wickets from debutant Adil Rashid.

He was in full flow next time out in a Pro-40 game v Leicestershire but after racing to 23 from 25 balls, Darren Maddy ended his stay.

Back to the Second team in August, Gale made two tons in the match v Somerset, 131 with 20 fours and then 123 from 96 balls, 17 fours and 3 sixes. More clean hitting in the Seconds brought 92 v Middlesex from 89 balls then a return to First Team action in the Pro-40 at Scarborough saw Gale make 46 from 67 deliveries.

2006 was a break through year for Andrew Gale, his clean hitting brought him 4 hundreds in the Seconds but his 149 in the Championship stamped him as a player of huge talent. That innings more than hinted at a long and successful future.

After six seasons of improvement I expect Andrew Gale to establish himself as a Yorkshire regular in 2007. A thousand runs are within his capabilities.