LAST WEEKEND’S defeat against Hampshire at Headingley hasn’t affected our belief that we can still be successful in the Championship this summer.

Yes, it was disappointing because we certainly dominated the first half of the match and played some good cricket. But the title isn’t won or lost in the first week of fixtures.

Consistency is the key, and we’ve definitely been a consistent team in this competition over the last three or four years.

We lost the game in that third innings with the bat.

Even though Kyle Abbott bowled well for his seven wickets, we should not have been bowled out for less than 200.

All we needed was a score of 250. Then, with them chasing closer to 400, it puts a completely different complexion on things.

Even defending 320, we had our chances and went close to winning.

We dropped a couple of early catches, which unfortunately happens in cricket. Had we caught those, they’re 20-2, and we could have bowled them out for 150 or 200.

But Hampshire dug in and played well, which you have to give them credit for.

It’s been well documented that they made some Kolpak signings over the winter, and the players they brought in are international quality.

We were an understrength team last weekend, yet we were so close to winning. In that respect, it is exciting because we will be near to full strength over the next few weeks.

We have a few more players available for our game at Warwickshire, which starts today – Dave Willey, Matt Fisher and Adil Rashid – before we have nearly everyone back within the next few weeks.

Then it becomes a completely different selection issue, which will be great for Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance.

We go to Edgbaston confident of recovering from not starting the season as well as we have done in recent years, but we just need a few more of us in the team to stand up and contribute.

We had two exceptional contributions from Ben Coad and Gary against Hampshire. If we can add to that, we’ll find ourselves going from just losing to dominating all three or four days and winning comfortably.

Warwickshire started the season with a defeat, by an innings against Surrey at the Oval, and they may be a bit low on confidence. But they are still a good team with some dangerous players.

We have played some really good cricket at Edgbaston over the last few years, and have a good record in the Championship there, winning three of our last four matches.

Although it is difficult to put my finger on the exact reason for our success, one big thing is the pitch. It is usually a good wicket down there, with something in it for bat and ball. That has suited our style.

Going back to Ben’s performance against Hampshire – six wickets in the first innings and eight overall in the match. He has come on a lot this winter.

I faced him before I left for New Zealand and again when I got back, and it is clear he has put on a yard of pace, which has been a big thing for him.

There are comparisons that can be made between him and Steve Patterson in terms of their styles. Neither of them give much away.

Ben very rarely bowls a bad ball in four-day cricket, but he’s gone away, worked hard and is now hitting the bat harder as well.

It was great to see that winter work rewarded against Hampshire, and fingers crossed it can continue.

Yorkshire squad v Warwickshire: Ballance c, Bresnan, Coad, Fisher, Handscomb, Hodd w, Leaning, Lees, Lyth, Patterson, Rashid, Warner, Willey.