McGrath hopes T20 Blast can boost Yorkshire fortunes

Anthony McGrath returned to Yorkshire before the new season after nine years at Essex

Anthony McGrath admits Yorkshire's red-ball efforts have been well below par so far this season but called on supporters to keep the faith as they switch to white-ball action on Friday.

Yorkshire sit just one place off the Division One basement, with only one win from seven matches in the County Championship ahead of the mid-season recess.

And while McGrath concedes fans are right to be critical, he is hoping the start of the T20 Blast, with Northants first up at Headingley on Friday, can bring a change of fortune.

"We've only got a few days' turnaround [from the defeat against Nottinghamshire] but I think that's a good thing," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "Players want to get out there again and we can't feel sorry for ourselves.

"It's a new competition and it is about starting well. We have done a lot of planning but again that counts for nothing, it is the performances. I'm looking forward to seeing how we react on Friday evening."

McGrath admits Yorkshire's return to the top flight following promotion from Division Two last season has been underwhelming so far.

"Right here, right now we have got to look in ourselves, not just the players but all the coaches as well and we've got to find some answers," he added.

"Our members, supporters or people who follow us are not interested in ifs and buts. People should be critical and we have no problem with that. The table doesn't look great but that is not going to change.

"But this is no time to feel sorry for ourselves though. It's about understanding what it is to be a Yorkshire player and the levels we need to get to."

On the face of it, the T20 Blast might appear unlikely to offer obvious comfort as Yorkshire remain one of only four counties - alongside Derbyshire, Durham and Glamorgan - who are yet to win a competition which is in its 23rd year.

"This group is dying to do well but you need more than that. At the highest levels of sport, it is not about skill, it is about what's in your head.

"It is a competition we know we have to get better at, but it is about us going out there and getting momentum and improving."