Yorkshire complete Jack Brooks signing

By Graham Hardcastle
 
Yorkshire have completed the signing of England Lions fast bowler Jack Brooks on a three-year deal. Brooks, 28, arrives at Headingley after activating a release clause in his contract at Northamptonshire, which had one more year to run.

Yorkshire’s interest in the player stems back to midway through 2011. They have beaten off competition from Roses rivals Lancashire and Division One rivals Middlesex and Nottinghamshire for his signature.

Brooks only made his first-class debut in 2009 having flourished late through impressive performances in Minor Counties cricket with home county Oxfordshire. A difficult summer of 2012 followed tours to the UAE and Bangladesh with the Lions earlier this year. He only took 28 wickets in 10 LV= County Championship matches due to injury (Achilles tendon) and loss of form.

“I’m absolutely elated to be joining Yorkshire, who are one of the biggest clubs in the country,” he said. “They’ve shown a lot of interest in me over the last couple of years, and it was ultimately too difficult to turn down.

“I want to be part of a successful young side that has been built at Headingley. Yorkshire enjoyed great success in 2012, and will certainly be challenging again next summer. I want to improve as a cricketer, and believe that Yorkshire can help me do that.

“I’ve been at Northamptonshire for four enjoyable seasons. They have been excellent with me. I joined them from the amateur game, have left behind some very good friends there, and wish them all the best in the future. This move has been a cricket decision. I want to further my England aspirations, and am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Brooks has 118 first-class wickets to his name at an average of 28.95, including four five-wicket hauls. He has also taken 19 List A wickets and 25 in Twenty20.

“We are really pleased to have acquired Jack’s services,” added director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon. “We’ve been looking to strengthen our squad to challenge in the first division of the LV = County Championship in 2013, and believe that Jack brings a great deal of quality to our existing seam attack.”

This is not expected to be the last signing Yorkshire make during the close season, with a further addition to the seam attack possible. The batting may also need strengthening if Joe Root cements a place at the top of the order in England’s Test team, while veteran Anthony McGrath’s future at the club has yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire will drop the Carnegie from their name in limited-overs cricket ahead of next season. Their deal with Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie University, which also includes the stadium naming rights, runs out at the end of the year.

The county have asked members and supporters to email in their suggestions, and will put a shortlist to public vote. "We just thought that it would be quite good to engage the public to find out what they like, develop a shortlist from that and adopt what they want," said Andy Dawson, the club’s commercial director. "That can only benefit us if it's something the community desires.

"Everyone has their own idea of things. We've had quite a few mentioned already, whether it be the Yorkshire Thunder, Yorkshire Hawks or even the Yorkshire Whippets!" It is understood they have ruled out being called the Yorkshire Puddings, a suggestion put forward by a number of Lancashire fans.
 

Date: 27/09/2012 18:41:00 by Graham Hardcastle
In: Yorkshire | Today | Northamptonshire |