Plunkett has point to prove as he seeks to return to England fold

Plunkett, who is today set to make his first County Championship appearance for Yorkshire in the opening game of the season against Sussex at Headingley, has not played for England since 2011.

But the 28-year-old, handed a fresh start by Yorkshire after 12 years at Durham, is confident he can repay the faith shown in him by his new county and, in the process, rekindle his hopes of playing international cricket.

“I definitely think my best is still to come,” said Plunkett, who has played nine Tests, 29 one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international.

“I’ve had a few injury problems in recent times but this is the strongest I’ve felt fitness-wise.

“I would love to play for England again and, if I didn’t have that ambition, I don’t think I’d play cricket.

“But I’m only ever going to get there by doing well for Yorkshire and putting in the performances over and over.”

Plunkett set a high standard with career-best figures of 6-33 on his Yorkshire first-class debut against Leeds-Bradford MCCU on Sunday.

Although the quality of the opposition had to be taken into account, so too did the pace and purpose with which Plunkett performed.

“The key thing for me is consistency,” added Plunkett, who last played Test cricket six summers ago.

“I’m not going to do well for Yorkshire and ultimately get back into the England side by taking one five-for here and there; I know I’ve got to keep delivering the goods.

“Playing for England is always in the back of my mind and I always aspire to it, and when I watch England play I can get a little bit jealous in a nice way because I want to be out there playing myself.

“The way I look at it, you always want to be at the top in any job you do and I’m striving to do the best that I can.”

Having lost his way at Durham, where injury and loss of form restricted him to just one Championship appearance last summer, Plunkett is relishing his fresh start at Yorkshire.

It could be exactly the tonic he needs, while Yorkshire know they have signed a player with something to prove.

“It was time for me to have a move,” added Plunkett, who has captured 327 first-class wickets at 31.

“Yorkshire are a big club and I’m not from far away, and it’s been really great for me so far.

“I don’t want to be playing second-team cricket and hanging around the fringes; I want to be playing regular cricket and winning games for Yorkshire.

“You’ve always got a point to prove to people all the way through your career, and that’s what I’ll be looking to do at Yorkshire.”

Plunkett’s path at Yorkshire has been smoothed by the fact he already knew several of the players and coaching staff.

He has become good friends with Jack Brooks, Yorkshire’s other new pace bowling recruit, with whom he shares a flat.

“Being a northern lad myself I came across some of the Yorkshire players when I was growing up,” said Plunkett, who was born in Middlesbrough.

“I know the likes of Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom, while Andrew Gale captained the Lions team that I’ve been on, which also featured Adam Lyth.

“On top of that, I’ve worked with Martyn Moxon (Yorkshire’s director of cricket) previously at Durham and also Paul Farbrace (second-team coach) with England Under-19s.

“I’ve got to know Jack Brooks very well and he’s a good guy, very entertaining, and all the lads and coaching staff have been great since I arrived.”

One man who has been predictably welcoming is Jason Gillespie, Yorkshire’s first-team coach and one of the game’s most affable characters.

A big factor in Plunkett’s decision to join was his desire to learn from Gillespie, whose harvest of 402 international wickets speaks for itself.

“What Dizzy has achieved over the years can only be a big help to my career,” said Plunkett.

“He is very positive in his approach, very reassuring, and I think I need that in my game.

“Dizzy talks about the importance of doing the simple things right and for me that is very important because simple is best.

“As he says, it’s not rocket science; you’ve just got to keep hitting the top of off-stump.”

As Yorkshire begin their season proper, with 19-year-old opener Alex Lees set to make his Championship debut today after scoring his maiden first-class century in the win over Leeds-Bradford MCCU, there is a feeling within the club that Plunkett could turn out to be a perfect fit.

The player is palpably determined to prove them right.

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