Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie targets Tykes promotion

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie is hopeful his side will beat Essex to secure promotion.

The Headingley side are in a three-way battle with Derbyshire and Kent for the top two places in Division Two of the County Championship.

Division Two: How it stands

Team P W L D Pts

1. Derbyshire

15

5

2

8

173

2. Yorkshire

15

4

0

11

172

3. Kent

15

4

2

9

167

"It's all in our hands and it'll be an exciting week," Gillespie told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Hopefully we can put together four days of strong cricket and come away with a positive result."

He added: "With Kent and Derbyshire both playing, I'm sure we'll be keeping up to date with the other games.

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“It's nice to be unbeaten but that also shows how much cricket we've lost, which is disappointing”

Jason Gillespie Yorkshire coach

"Essex are a very good team with some players in form but we've got players in great shape too."

Gillespie takes his side to Chelmsford, while Derbyshire host Hampshire and Kent travel to Glamorgan, with all games starting on Tuesday.

Yorkshire will be assured of an instant return to the top flight should they record a victory and take three bonus points.

In a weather-hit summer, Gillespie's side have gone through the County Championship season undefeated so far but the former Australian Test bowler is not getting carried away.

"It's nice to be unbeaten but that also shows how much cricket we've lost, which is disappointing," he continued.

"The most pleasing thing is when we've had opportunities to drive home and win games we've taken them."