Anthony McGrath has confirmed that neither Harry Brook or Joe Root will be available for Yorkshire’s opening Rothesay County Championship clash with Hampshire this weekend.
Head coach McGrath is still awaiting news from the ECB as to when the county’s England stars will be released to play some county cricket during the opening stages of the Division One campaign.
But he is expecting to get confirmation later this week, ahead of that trip to the Utilita Bowl on Friday.
England’s home summer starts on May 22 with a four-day Test Match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. Yorkshire have six games before then, but their sixth – against Surrey at the Kia Oval – only finishes on May 19.
“We’re not exactly sure yet,” he said on the Brook and Root availability. “But they’ll definitely not be with us at Hampshire.
“I know that they’re having their appraisals over these next few days, the England guys, so we’ll probably know ahead of that Hampshire game where they’re looking to play.
“Luke Wright (England’s chief selector) has said that he will be in touch with a programme.
“I know it’s a busy summer with India and then the Ashes this winter.
“I don’t think we’ll see (them) loads, but hopefully a few.
“I don’t know if they have camps leading up to that Zimbabwe Test Match. So I’m not sure when we’ll see them, but I don’t think it will be the first couple of rounds.
“But the availability of Jonny and Mala, and two overseas coming to joining us, I think we’ve got a really good squad.”
Meanwhile, McGrath, has also confirmed that everything remains the same in terms of Yorkshire’s overseas planning.
New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears will be the first to arrive, in time to face Worcestershire at Headingley from April 11.
He is then available for the six matches in the opening two-month block of four-day cricket.
Australian quick Jordan Buckingham, who has just won the four-day and one-day state double with South Australia, is coming for the four Championship matches in May.
Aussie all-rounder Will Sutherland and Kiwi pacer Will O’Rourke will arrive in time for the start of the Vitality Blast on May 30 against Worcestershire at Headingley.
“Yeah, nothing’s changed with that,” added McGrath. “Everything’s on track.”
