Yorkshire rookies Harry Brook and Matthew Fisher tipped to shine in 2021, says Steve Patterson

STEVE PATTERSON is predicting big things from two of Yorkshire’s leading young stars as he pronounced his side ready to hit the ground running when the County Championship season starts next week.
Yorkshire's Steve Patterson. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comYorkshire's Steve Patterson. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Yorkshire's Steve Patterson. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

The Yorkshire captain believes it will be a big year for batsman Harry Brook and pace bowler Matthew Fisher in particular as the club gets ready for its opening game against Glamorgan at Emerald Headingley starting a week today.

Brook, 22, and Fisher, 23, have shown flashes of great quality since breaking into the first XI and now look primed to take their careers to the next level.

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Asked to cite his ones to watch for 2021, Patterson said: “We’ve got plenty of big names with the bat – the likes of Gary Ballance, Adam Lyth, Dawid Malan and of course Joe Root who’s with us at the start of the season, but for me this promises to be a big year for Harry Brook.

Yorkshire's Matthew Fisher celebrates taking the wicket of Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond.Yorkshire's Matthew Fisher celebrates taking the wicket of Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond.
Yorkshire's Matthew Fisher celebrates taking the wicket of Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond.

“I really like where he’s at with his cricket. I’ve always known the amount of ability he’s got, and I think he’s matured a bit over the past couple of years with the experience he’s had, and I hope this will be a big year for him.

“I think on the bowling front it will be similar for Matthew Fisher. He seems to have been around forever, starting at 15, but touch-wood he’s fully fit and we just need a bit of good fortune for him this summer with hopefully no injuries, and I believe if we can keep him fit throughout the year it will be a fantastic year for him too.

“They would probably be the two for me that I think will stand up this year and show how good they really are.”

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Patterson, 37, believes that he has the strongest squad at his disposal since being appointed full-time captain in 2019.

Yorkshire's Harry Brook hits out.Yorkshire's Harry Brook hits out.
Yorkshire's Harry Brook hits out.

“I think we’ve got all the tools at our disposal now,” he added. “I feel we’ve got everything covered in terms of what we need and it’s all about performing and doing our jobs.

“We’ve had the best preparation we could have asked for under the circumstances and hopefully we can put a smile on our supporters’ faces.

“It was unusual last year having no crowds and not seeing the regulars that we say hello to each morning, and hopefully the restrictions will be lifted as the season goes on and we can get more and more people through the gate and hopefully give them something to get excited about.”

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Patterson was speaking after Yorkshire’s three-day friendly against Leeds-Bradford MCCU at Headingley ended in a draw. The students began the final day on 205-1 in their first innings in reply to the hosts’ 485-5 declared.

Taylor Cornall and Josh de Caires, 97 and 94 not out respectively, brought up their hundreds in the morning sunshine, lifting their second wicket stand to 270 before de Caires retired out 40 minutes before lunch.

The talented 18-year-old, who is studying for an economics degree at the University of Leeds and is the son of the former England captain Mike Atherton, made 118 from 292 balls with 16 fours.

Cornall, a 22-year-old left-hander who has played for the Lancashire seconds, fell on the stroke of lunch, pulling Matthew Revis to long-leg for 142 from 297 deliveries with 21 fours and a six.

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The students batted until tea, declaring on 382-9 as Revis finished up with Yorkshire’s best figures of 3-35. The hosts reached 39-1 from 12 overs before hands were shaken just before 5pm, Fisher leading the way with an unbeaten 31.

Yorkshire have announced a three-year partnership with NIC Services Group LTD to become their front-of-shirt sponsor for the County Championship.

The Leeds-based company is one of the country’s largest privately-owned facility management providers.

The news represents a double boost for Yorkshire after they announced on Tuesday a four-year deal with the leading sportswear brand Nike to become their official kit supplier.

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