Matthew Fisher is hoping his final act in a Yorkshire shirt this weekend can be one of his best memories.
Fisher, 26, is leaving his home county for pastures new after the conclusion of the ongoing final round Vitality County Championship clash with Northamptonshire at Headingley.
His destination has yet to be confirmed, but there is no doubt when speaking to the Sheriff Hutton Bridge product that all his focus for now is on one thing.
“I want to try to help us get back to where we belong,” said the one-time England Test fast bowler.
“There’s excitement around putting a performance in which helps us secure that. It would be nice to get out there and bowl a spell which helps get it over the line.”
Fisher, Yorkshire and Northamptonshire have been frustrated by the weather for the a day and two thirds, with weather delaying the start until after tea today.
Picture by Vaughn Ridley SWPix.com. Matthew Fisher bowls on debut for Yorkshire, aged 15, in 2013.
Time off the field allowed us to sit down with Fisher and talk about his time at Yorkshire, for whom he came through the ranks to make his first-team debut aged 15 years and 212 days – against Leicestershire in a one-day game at Scarborough in June 2013.
In taking the field that day, he became the youngest post-war county cricketer.
“It was an amazing day,” he reflected. “It was that long ago that it feels like a different person, almost. It’s mad.”
Fisher made his first-class debut in 2015, playing a small part in Yorkshire’s County Championship title triumph that season.
He continued: “One of the things which I think was a massive help was coming into a team at 16 or 17 who were winning. You learnt what winning cricket was, and that was the biggest learning curve for me. As a young player coming in, there was no better time.
“I’ve absolutely loved it here, and I’ve always given 100 percent. You do read what people say about your injuries, and it is a regret of mine that I’ve not played more. But it’s not been for a lack of professionalism or commitment.
Picture by John Heald. Matthew Fisher bowls against Leicestershire earlier this month, in his final season with Yorkshire.
“For both me and my family, it’s been a very proud 10 or 11 years.”
It’s no secret that Fisher has had his injuries problems during his time with Yorkshire, and he doesn’t shy away from that issue.
But there’s no doubt he’s a bowler with immense talent and one who has had a number of memorable moments wearing the White Rose.
He claimed 5-22 on his T20 debut against Derbyshire at Headingley in May 2015, he took nine wickets in a Championship win over Somerset at Scarborough in September 2021 and hit 88 with the bat only a few weeks ago in the three-day win over Leicestershire at Grace Road.
Fisher has progressed through the England ranks during his time with the county and made his Test debut against the West Indies at Barbados in March 2022. He claimed his only wicket with only his second ball at that level.
The Test debut will no doubt stand out as the highlight so far, but helping Yorkshire to promotion will be another special moment.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Matthew Fisher is applauded off the field after taking five wickets on debut versus Derbyshire in the T20 Blast in May 2015.
“Absolutely it would,” he continued.
“All through the middle of the season when I had my ankle injury, it’s been my motivation and the driving force – to come back and help the team. That’s what I’ve always been about.
“That’s why it’s sad that I’ve had injuries that I’ve had.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is help the team, so it’s nice that I’ve been able to do that during these last couple of weeks. It’s given me a lot of happiness and joy that I’ve been able to do that. It’s what you work hard for.”
In September 2017, Fisher contributed with the bat as Yorkshire all but secured their Division One future with victory over Warwickshire at Headingley.
Chasing 175, Yorkshire slipped to 96-7 before Fisher and Steve Patterson shared 78 to turn things around in dramatic fashion. Patterson hit 44 not out, Fisher 15.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matthew Fisher bats in a game he remembers fondly, against Warwickshire at Headingley in late 2015 as he and Steve Patterson steered Yorkshire to Championship safety.
He continued: “During the last few weeks, I’ve looked back to that game and thought about the big moments in which I’ve stood up. I’ve tried to use that game as motivation for this run-in.
“Steve Patterson actually messaged me before this game.
“He said, ‘There’s been a few bumps in the road, but my career only started properly at 26 and that’s where you’re at now with 10 years of experience behind you’.”
So, to affable Fisher’s decision to leave for pastures new, something announced by Yorkshire at the start of last month.
“It was a big one and a tough one,” he said.
“If you know me, I’m quite a deep thinker when it comes to the positives and negatives of a decision. When I thought about this for two or three months, I just thought there were more positives when it comes to my cricket from a selfish point of view.
Picture by Gareth Copley/Getty Images. Matthew Fisher bowls for England on Test debut against the West Indies.
“The lads have been great with me. I’ve said to the lads since I let them know, ‘If you’re frustrated with me, I understand’.
“The ultimate question I asked myself was what is right for my cricket?
“And I think that’s taking on a new challenge, being around a new set of coaches, a new staff, where you don’t have the baggage of injuries and the constant chat around that.
“Basically, trying to impress a new group of players and staff and being amidst competition for places where you’re not guaranteed. I feel that will push me on even more.
“It’s the best decision for my cricket right now.
“At 30 or 31, it might be different. I might have to make a decision on what’s best for my family instead of what’s best for me to try and play as much as I can for England. It’s not time for me to give up on that yet.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matthew Fisher in the field against Derbyshire at Scarborough last summer.
“You grow up dreaming of playing for Yorkshire.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be capped by Yorkshire, which was one of the proudest moments in my life along with getting my England cap.
“The people who have helped me along the way – coming through as an Academy player, I genuinely don’t have any negative thing to say about how it worked.
“People like Ian Dews and Richard Damms put that arm around my shoulder and helped me progress as a good person and not just as a good cricketer.
“That’s been carried on with the pro team.
“I’ve taken little bits off all the players I’ve played with and coaches I’ve worked with.”
Picture by John Heald. Matthew Fisher en-route to 88 against Leicestershire earlier this month, a career best score with the bat.
And as he departs, he is taking the attitude of ‘so long for now’ rather than a final goodbye.
“I wouldn’t rule it out. You never know,” he added. “I feel like this week, although I am playing my last game I’m not thinking that it’s my last ever game for Yorkshire.
“People will say, ‘That’s not your decision to make’. And it’s not. I totally accept if people have bad feelings about me going, and I do understand it. But I’ve always committed to helping the club and always will.
“I want to see Yorkshire challenging for the Championship over the next few years. I can’t wait to see where this young team goes. Hopefully they can do really good things. I messaged Hilly about his cap last night, and I think sky’s the limit for these young players.
“Yorkshire have an amazing tradition of good teams and producing good players but also England players. There’s no reason why that can’t continue.
“Lads are aware that if we do go up, it will be tough. It’s different cricket, and there’s some really good bowling attacks in Division One. But there’s nobody we can’t compete with, and the buoyancy of going up could help create that early-season momentum.”
