Yorkshire Post

Brooks is certain Yorkshire will have a blast this summer

- Chris Waters CRICKET CORRESPOND­ENT Yorkshire squad to face Northampto­nshire Steelbacks:

around a bit more too, I think it’s going to be different.

“If they come off, it’s going to be pretty brutal on the opposition.”

Yorkshire were heavily reliant last year on Ballance, who was the only man to pass 200 runs (269 at 29.88).

Yorkshire recorded more dotballs than any other team (balls from which no runs are scored) and their boundary count was low.

“Not enough boundaries and too many dot balls is a pretty bad formula,” conceded Brooks. “Unfortunat­ely, we just didn’t have the consistenc­y and we relied a lot on Gary.

“But Finchy, of course, is a wonderful addition and everyone is genuinely excited about what we’re going to see from him.

“He’s going to win games off his own back; it’s just a case of how many.”

Finch is unavailabl­e tonight and for next Friday’s trip to War- wickshire due to his involvemen­t with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

Depending on Sunrisers’ progress, it is expected he will make his Yorkshire debut at home to Derbyshire on May 30 or away to Lancashire on June 6.

Williamson is another who gives Yorkshire a different dimension this year. The 23-year-old did not play in the Twenty20 last time as he only joined towards the end of the campaign.

“I know all the lads are really confident and excited about this year’s competitio­n,” said Brooks, who topped Yorkshire’s Twenty20 averages last summer with 13 wickets at 14.53.

“We’ve got all our England lads available for the first game and if we can start the comp well and get on a roll, I think we can do really well. In my opinion, we should just go out there and relax and play exciting cricket.

“I’d like to think we’re an excit- ing team to watch in all forms of the game; we’ve got some seriously talented, exciting young players, and when you throw in a couple of old-timers and overseas players as well, plus a fantastic captain, we’ve got a great formula.”

Brooks was pleased with his form last year in a format that is traditiona­lly challengin­g for bowlers. He took a career-best 5-21 in the home game against Leicesters­hire and 4-21 in the home match against Derbyshire.

“I’ve always been a momentum bowler,” he said. “I don’t know why, but if I get an early wicket or two, I get excited and pumped up and seem to bowl better areas.

“I was flying early on in the comp and bowling a lot of dots, which is one of the main roles if you’re bowling up front.

“I think I was one of the highest dot bowlers in the country – third in the list, or something like that – and I was quite happy with my form, although on a couple of occasions I got taken down big time.”

Brooks will be keen to do well against the county he left for Yorkshire in 2012.

Northampto­nshire’s success last year also showed the unpredicta­ble nature of T20 cricket.

“Northants weren’t expecting to win it last year – I know that from speaking to them,” said Brooks.

“It was a massive shock and bonus but, by the end of the comp, you could see that they were the best team and that everyone knew their roles.

“No-one would have fancied them and it shows that anyone can win it if they get on a roll.

“I was really happy for the Northants’ guys but my future is here; coming to Yorkshire was the right career choice and I love it.”

Jonathan Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Jack Brooks, Andrew Gale (capt), Andrew Hodd, Adam Lyth, Liam Plunkett, Richard Pyrah, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ryan Sidebottom, Kane Williamson.

 ?? PICTURE: JON BUCKLE/PA ?? SHOCK TRIUMPH: Jack Brooks’s former Northants team-mates celebrate winning the Friends Life T20 final at Edgbaston.
PICTURE: JON BUCKLE/PA SHOCK TRIUMPH: Jack Brooks’s former Northants team-mates celebrate winning the Friends Life T20 final at Edgbaston.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom