Yorkshire on verge of signing overseas paceman

YORKSHIRE are stepping up their search for an overseas player to boost their hopes of winning County Championship promotion.

The club are targeting a top-class pace bowler in an effort to return to Division One.

Yorkshire are thought to be pursuing an Australian, who would link with fellow countrymen Jason Gillespie, the club’s first team coach, and batsman Phil Jaques.

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Someone who could possibly fit the bill is Mitchell Starc, a 22-year-old left-armer from New South Wales, who has made a favourable impact at international level.

Yorkshire last night declined to be drawn on potential targets but confirmed they are closer to making a signing. Director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “We are looking at a few options and I’m hoping that something might happen in the next few days.

“At the moment, however, we’ve got nothing definite. The problem with trying to sign an overseas player is that the process, invariably, is never straightforward. There are various hurdles that have to be negotiated.”

Although Yorkshire have planned for some time to sign an overseas cricketer, they wanted to wait until the season started before making a move.

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They wanted to give their younger players an opportunity to impress, while there was a dearth of candidates in any case.

But with some of their bowlers having struggled during the drawn Championship opener against Kent, when Yorkshire came off second best, the issue has assumed more pressing significance.

If a quality player should now become available, Yorkshire would certainly make a move.

Since returning to the club in 2007, Moxon has been a big supporter of the club’s young players.

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Although he remains committed to their long-term development, he has to balance that with the need for short-term success.

“It was in our thoughts anyway to look for an overseas player, but I think that has been probably stepped up a bit after the first game,” he added. “We weren’t at our best with the ball against Kent and we need to find an improvement of consistency.

“The lads are working hard and trying very hard, but we have struggled to maintain that pressure with the ball.

“We need to improve in that regard and that is something we’re currently trying to address.”

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Moxon believes it might ultimately work in Yorkshire’s favour that they were not at their best against Kent. With the club having been widely tipped to bounce back from relegation, the performance was one to focus the mind.

“We’ve not had it our own way so far, which is not a bad thing at this time of year,” said Moxon. “It keeps you honest and makes you realise that things are not just going to magically happen.

“It was not a perfect first game by any means, but it was not a disaster either. The next game against Essex (starting at Headingley tomorrow) is already a very big one for us.”

Yorkshire have yet to announce their squad for that match but will probably make two changes.

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Jaques is set to come in for Rich Pyrah, who broke his left hand against Kent, while pace bowler Steve Patterson is likely to get the nod over Iain Wardlaw, who had a difficult game.

Patterson looked in good touch during last week’s three-day match against Leeds Bradford MCCU, and it was only two years ago that he took 45 Championship wickets at 26.68 as Yorkshire came within a whisker of the title.

Whoever Yorkshire select, a stronger killer instinct is clearly required.

“Coles and Davies, of Kent, added 153 for the ninth-wicket against us, and it’s partnerships like that which prevent you from winning games,” conceded Moxon. “That sort of thing has cost us dear.

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“We also dropped chances against Kent, which didn’t help, but, by and large, we need to find more consistency with the ball.

“Hopefully, we can take a step forward in the Essex game.”

On the evidence of the season’s formative stages, Yorkshire will not simply stroll back into the First Division.

“It’s going to be very competitive this league,” said Moxon.