IT is a little over three years ago that Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored his first Yorkshire fifty in a Vitality Blast clash with Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road.

A lot has changed since August 12, 2017 when the now 26-year-old opening batsman scored 75 in a four-wicket defeat.

Kohler-Cadmore has developed into a key figure in the county’s batting order in all formats, he has skippered the White Rose and represented England Lions.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that Yorkshire’s wait for a maiden Blast title still goes on. But things are looking up in that regard as well.

Kohler-Cadmore and the Vikings return to Grace Road tomorrow night (6.30pm) to face the Foxes in their sixth North Group game.

They are third in the table, two points behind joint-leaders Nottinghamshire and Lancashire having won two and lost one added to two No Results.

To guarantee a quarter-final berth, Yorkshire must finish in the top two places. But they could advance as one of the two best third-placed finishers from the North, Central and South Groups.

Kohler-Cadmore underpinned a victory against Durham last Friday with an unbeaten 85, his 30th score of 50 or more for the county. It was a game in which Durham were 77-0 and well placed to chase 199 before being bowled out for 169.

And Yorkshire holding their nerve to win is part of the reason why Kohler-Cadmore is so confident that the Vikings are heading in the right direction with their T20 cricket.

“We are trying to learn from every experience and game we play in,” he said.

“So to see the lads stay calm at Durham and bounce back from a tricky period was very encouraging.

“Teams can easily be 70 or 80 for none against you. But all it takes is two good overs which only go for six and the run-rate can jump to 12 an over quite quickly.

“The boys stayed calm, and we should give massive credit to the bowlers because, wicket to wicket, I think we bowled them out in something like 13 overs. That is outstanding.

“To have the confidence to take the situation on and not go into your shell is all we are trying to do this year.

“If we do have a bad game, which will happen in T20 cricket, we have to make sure we learn from it - see it as a positive and not a negative.

“When we were beaten at Notts, we were probably only three overs off with the bat at the end and three overs off with the ball at the end. That was the difference.

“If you only look at the negatives, you’ll never move forward.

“We need to learn but also take confidence from the things we do well.

“We are playing good cricket. It’s just about getting us over the line consistently. If we do that, we’ll be playing quarter-finals and hopefully Finals Day. All of a sudden. you have that winning mentality.”

Yorkshire certainly look more composed in T20 cricket this year, having beaten Derbyshire and Durham. Even in defeat at Notts, they played some impressive cricket.

A big part of that is surely continuity with selection.

In the three games Yorkshire have played, there has only been one change, with captain David Willey coming in for George Hill at Durham.

Another change will have to be made tomorrow with Joe Root back on England duty, forcing a re-jig in the batting order.

“Dave wants to give lads a number of games to get things right,” said Kohler-Cadmore.

“If you know you have a run of games, you will be a lot more confident as opposed to thinking, ‘If I have a bad game, I’ll be dropped’. That breeds extra pressure.

“For me, you can already see that working. Lads are confident and know their roles.

“If we can keep a good bit of momentum going forwards, we can end the season on a high at Finals Day. That would be brilliant for everyone.

“To be in these positions is where you want to be.

“It’s not just about winning trophies, it’s also about going into the winter saying, ‘We’re in a good spot ahead of next year. We’ve improved from last summer and know what we need to work on’.

“We’ve also found out about a lot of cricketers, which is brilliant. We’re in a better position as a squad.

“Will Fraine, for example. We now know he can finish an innings in T20 for us.

“Jordan Thompson has been outstanding.

“Harry Brook, I feel he’s a completely different player this year. He’s come into his own and is contributing regularly.”

Leicestershire, with five points, are a point behind Yorkshire in the North Group, with three of their five games rained off, including last week at Headingley.

Yorkshire are unlikely to have Dawid Malan available as he has been named as a reserve player for England’s three-match ODI series against Australia in Manchester between tomorrow and next Wednesday.

Unless Yorkshire’s request to release him is accepted, he will only return to county action for the final two North Group games.