Duanne Olivier will be fit to take his place in what is likely to be a four-man seam attack for Friday’s Specsavers County Championship opener against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Olivier gave Yorkshire a brief injury scare during the third morning of their first-class friendly win over Leeds/Bradford MCC Universities at Weetwood today.
He felt pain in his right knee after slipping in his delivery stride whilst bowling his fourth over of the morning.
The ex-South African Test quick, who claimed four wickets in the match, left the field immediately for assessment, but he was quickly given the all-clear.
“I did think, ‘Oh no, this can’t be happening’ when he tried to walk and stopped again,” said coach Andrew Gale.
“But it was clear within 15 minutes he’d be ok when he asked if he could go out and bowl again. I said, ‘No’.
“It was just precautionary to keep him off the field because it’s a massive game (Notts). We’ll wrap him in cotton wool and then cut it off on Friday.”
Yorkshire dominated this fixture against Leeds/Bradford, winning by an innings and 151 runs shortly before tea on the third and final day.
There were standout performances from Matthew Waite, who claimed 5-16 in the first innings, and centuries from Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Jonny Tattersall.
Gale continued: “When you look at the fixtures and March 31st comes up, you think it might be a bit early given the weather we had last year. But it’s been really good.
“The facilities have been outstanding here at Weetwood, and the pitch was good. It’s allowed everyone to get some time at the crease and overs under their belt.
“We go down to Trent Bridge full of confidence.
“Leeds/Bradford showed a lot of character. The young batsman (Saad) Ashraf did well both innings and looks a decent player. Fair play to the students.
“Matthew Waite has been the pick of the bowlers throughout pre-season.
“He’s come back from Australia and hit the ground running.
“I think we’ll probably just go with four seamers, but we’ll see on Friday. Joe Root will come into the side, and it’s then up to the captain who he wants to pick on the day.
“I said to the batters before the game, ‘Scoring runs is a habit, and scoring hundreds is a habit.
“I thought they (Kohler-Cadmore and Tattersall) were really disciplined and very mature, and it’s what they’ll need this weekend and going forwards.
“We got better with the ball as the game went on.
“We were ok without being good in the first session of the match.
“Ben Coad hasn’t had a lot of cricket given he had an injection in his knee and was protected in South Africa.
“Mat Pillans, it was good to see him bowl well in the second innings and show what he can do.
“I think everyone is starting to hit their straps.”
On the Notts clash, Gale added: “We’re two strong sides on paper. Both teams will want to get out of blocks well. They’re two of the best bowling attacks in county cricket, I think. It will be a great spectacle.
“Everyone’s happy the season is here and can’t wait to get into it.
“Our preparation has been outstanding, right from the outset before Christmas. We certainly can’t use preparation as an excuse if we underperform this year. We’ve ticked every box.”
