Jacques Rudolph believes a settled team is the key reason for Yorkshire’s impressive performances in this year’s LV= County Championship.

The Tykes welcome Nottinghamshire, their main title rivals, to Headingley on Tuesday for what many will argue is a must-win contest.

“We have not had as many people going in and out of the team this season, which is very important,” said Rudolph, whose side take a one-point lead into the game at the top of Division One.

“There is a great unity among the guys at the moment as well. That is another reason for our success.”

Rudolph, who has plundered 961 runs at an average of 56.52 this summer, is one of six players to have featured in all 11 matches.

“It has been going well for me but it is just nice to be playing in a side which is willing to play attacking cricket,” said the South African.

That confidence is likely to be put to the test against Chris Read’s men. Going into the contest, Notts have one match in hand – and are having a stellar season in all forms, having qualified for Twenty20 finals day last week.

“We have two big games against them and they will possibly be championship deciders,” said Rudolph, in reference to the fact that the sides also go head to head at Trent Bridge in September.

“It will be interesting to see what type of wicket we prepare at Headingley, whether we opt for two spinners or go for a green seamer. I think the latter is probably not the best option.”

Even if the Yorkshire ground-staff might not have made up their minds yet, one thing has already been assured in 2010. Yorkshire, second favourites for relegation with bookmakers before the campaign started, have proved plenty of people wrong.

Rudolph said: “Another key factor for me is the form of some of our youngsters like Adam Lyth, Adil Rashid and Jonathan Bairstow. If those guys can keep improving like they are, then we have a real chance.”

Yorkshire will go into the Notts fixture in confident mood, having fallen just short in a giant run chase in their last four-day match against Essex at Chelmsford.

Set 369 to win, they reached 333-7 by the close on the final day. If they can follow that draw with a win, the chances of a first championship success since 2001 will feel that bit closer.