Will Fraine has been the finisher in Yorkshire’s T20 team, and now he’s the starter in their 50-over team.
And if today’s unbeaten 146 in the friendly win over Northumberland at Scarborough is anything to go by, it could be fun to watch him go about his work over the next month or so.
Fraine, 25, was handed a target of 255 in the National Counties warm-up game ahead of the start of the Royal London one-day Cup on Thursday.
And he royally entertained the crowd of approximately 500 at North Marine Road, recording 15 fours and six sixes in only 129 balls.
It is a ground he has fond memories of having scored his only competitive county first-team century to date here against Surrey in the Championship victory in 2019.
Ironically, Surrey are the visitors here on Thursday.
“I love batting at Scarborough. It’s a great place to bat,” he said.
“The wicket’s always so nice and the outfield’s rapid. It’s a batter’s paradise.
“My name’s on that dressing room, and it’s always nice to walk in there.
“We were happy with that score. Here, I would say 300 is probably par or even a bit more.
“The way they batted up top showed that it was a good pitch.
“They got off to a flyer, but we managed to pull it back in the middle. Maty P bowled really well.”
Fraine has made a success of his finishing role in the Blast, but he admitted: “I’ve always been an opening batter, I’ve grown up batting there.
“It’s a position I’d love to do in T20, but we have two very good openers already at the club and I’m just happy to be in that team.
“It’s amazing to get the opportunity in this team to go up top and show that there is another option to Tom Kohler-Cadmore or Adam Lyth should there be an injury or they’re a bit out of nick.”
He added: “This comp’s really exciting. Some teams will be more experienced than others.
“I think Surrey have got Hashim Amla. I think we’re all actually looking forward to seeing him bat, but not for that long!
“We have a young and inexperienced team, but it’s exciting.”
