Matthew Fisher is hoping he can help to fill Tim Bresnan’s boots at Yorkshire – and then maybe pass some on later in his career.
Fisher is one of a handful of talented all-rounders in the White Rose squad who will all be confident of more first-team cricket following the 35-year-old’s move to Warwickshire.
Bresnan spoke of clearing a path for some of the county’s up and comers when he opted to leave Emerald Headingley last month, and Fisher is in that category.
Like many, the 22-year-old is full of admiration for Bresnan’s qualities as a player, team-mate and mentor, and he has revealed how he benefited from a boot deal the ex-England star once signed.
“When I was younger and coming into the dressing room, he was in the England side and came back to Yorkshire,” explained Fisher.
“He had a boot sponsorship and would give me boots most seasons.
“When he rang me up to tell me what was going on with him leaving, which was nice of him, we talked a bit about the boot thing, and I’ll always remember it.
“If I can get to the same point in my career, I’d love to continue that kind of thing with another young player.
“Brez has always been very encouraging with me. He’s said some really nice stuff about me in past interviews, and he was just reminding me to take the Yorkshire mentality forward when we spoke.
“Everyone who has played for the club cares deeply, and he’s no different.”
Fisher continued: “He will go down as one of the legends of Yorkshire Cricket in my eyes. I certainly look up to him.
“He’s obviously achieved so much in the game – a double Ashes winner, a World T20 winner, a double County Championship winner. He’s won the Big Bash in Australia.
“That all speaks for itself, but I think Brez is more proud of what people think of him as a bloke and what he brings to the team.
“I’m sure everyone views him in the same way I do, as someone who would run through a brick wall for you.
“There were lots of occasions in games where I’ve thought, ‘Wow, I need to be like him’.
“There was a game at Headingley when I was 12th manning that I remember, and he was sore in some part of his body but kept coming on and off the field in between overs and spells. It was a crucial part of the game, but he just kept going.
“Then, the batting performance at Lord’s in 2016 when we were trying to win that third Championship was just incredible to watch (Bresnan hit 142 not out).
“For me, he was the best player in county cricket at that time.
“His elbow injury had stopped him playing for England as much as he could have, but he was still very close to, if not at, his peak.
