Watch out batters is Harry Brook’s message as Yorkshire prepare to unleash Haris Rauf on the LV= Insurance County Championship.
Pakistan fast bowler Rauf is set to make his county debut in Thursday’s Division One opener against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
He is a quick Brook knows a lot about with the pair having played together through February and March for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.
In fact, they didn’t just play together, they were trophy winners.
Rauf has built a reputation as one of the world’s most potent limited overs bowlers, though he has only played four first-class matches in his career.
Asked what the 28-year-old overseas star from Rawalpindi will bring to Headingley, Brook said: “He’s going to bring pace and aggression, and hopefully he bowls the right length for England because he’s got good skills to go with it.
“If he brings that pace and aggression and uses his skills well, he’s going to be a real handful.
“He can swing it both ways, and he will seam it as well.
“I expect him to be very, very dangerous.”
Brook, who said with a smile, “I only faced him once in the nets with the Qalandars, thankfully!”, also gave an insight into Rauf’s character.
He said: “When I was with the Qalandars, he was pretty much the joker in that side.
“He was very loud, and all the lads seemed to enjoy him. I think he will fit in well with us. He’s a good lad.”
Rauf is available for the opening six Championship matches and also the opening five Vitality Blast fixtures and is one of a number of exciting fast bowling overseas signings in county cricket.
His compatriots Mohammad Abbas (Hampshire), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Middlesex) and Hassan Ali (Lancashire) are all contracted for the start of the season.
As is another Pakistan quick Naseem Shah, who will line up for Gloucestershire this week.
Other pacers James Pattinson and Kemar Roach have signed for Nottinghamshire and Surrey respectively.
“It could be a tough year for batters, but runs against those guys will be very satisfying,” said Brook.
“The standard looks really good, and there’s going to be plenty of lads with a point to prove – those who want to get in the England Test side and others who want to get back in. Exciting times.”
It certainly will be exciting times if Brook can satisfy his taste for winning trophies, which started with the Qalandars.
“It’s good fun winning trophies, and I want to win as many of them as possible,” he added.
“I’ve been playing for Yorkshire since I was 11. I’ve come all the way through the age-groups. To win a Championship here would be a dream come true.
“To do it with some of my best mates, I can’t begin to imagine how good a feeling that would be, how good the celebrations would be afterwards.
“Hopefully we can push towards that.”
