Yorkshire are currently playing a merry old tune in the Vitality Blast, winning four games in a row to leave themselves well placed at the halfway stage of the North Group. And the Vikings have got the words to go with it.
With the quartet of wins over the last 10 days has come the introduction of a new celebratory team song.
It’s a tradition for many counties nowadays. Some have lyrics easier to remember than others, plenty are there for viewing on club social media channels.
Up to now, the Yorkshire song has remained under wraps and between players and backroom staff only.
But, says Namibian overseas star David Wiese, it’s something which has an important role to play in forging and maintaining a winning environment.
All-rounder Wiese has settled into life with the county like a dream and was the player-of-the-match in Tuesday’s win over Leicestershire at Grace Road with an unbeaten 50 off 32 balls in helping the Vikings recover from 78-7 batting first to 156-7.
It was a winning total and sets Yorkshire up ideally for tomorrow’s clash with early North Group pacesetters Worcestershire Rapids at Headingley (6.30pm).
“It’s important because you’ve got to celebrate the victories,” said Wiese, who will have sung a team song or two in his time playing short-form cricket all around the world.
“When things don’t go your, it can be a tough place in the changing room and you can get down on yourself. So when the wins do come, you have to celebrate them.
“To sing a little team song and pull the guys together, have a bit of a laugh and smile, I think it’s really important.
“There are so many games that are played nowadays, you can almost take it for granted. But it’s tough to win games. It’s always important, for me, to celebrate wins and people’s performances.”
Wiese, 38-years-old, was outstanding against the Foxes on Tuesday, and has contributed with bat and ball in his first six Blast appearances for Yorkshire.
He has taken nine wickets with his seamers and posted scores of 28, 30 and 50 not out down the order.
“When we spoke to David long before the season started, it was for situations like that,” said coach Ottis Gibson, referring to the Leicestershire turnaround in combination with eighth-wicket partner Ben Mike, who contributed 30 to a record stand of 78.
“His experience told again. He got a very important half-century which in the end got us to a winning score. Once we got past 150, the way we’ve been bowling, we felt like we were in the game.”
More than his performances on the field, it his experience off it that is also proving crucial.
Captain Shan Masood last month described him as the ‘Guru’, an affectionate nickname bestowed upon him by the Pakistan Super League side Lahore Qalandars.
They are just one of the sides Wiese has played for during a 336-game T20 career.
“It’s important for an overseas player to have an impact off the field also,” said Wiese.
“Cricket’s such a fickle game. You’re not guaranteed results or performances, but you can guarantee the type of person that you are. You can go out and help the younger guys and impart knowledge.
“I think that’s the responsibility of an overseas player to leave the club and players in a better space than what it was whilst you were there.
“It’s something I take seriously and appreciate from when I was younger and others helped me. It’s something I enjoy doing.
“The young bowlers here have been awesome. Ever since I came in, they’ve been open to learning and suggestions, and have picked my brains. We’ve worked well together.”
Things have changed significantly for Yorkshire since failing to defend 19 runs off the last over against Worcestershire at New Road last month. It was their second defeat of three on the bounce.
The side are now brimming with confidence as they prepare to tackle a Rapids side who have won four of their opening six matches.
Worcestershire, complete with New Zealand all-rounders Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner as their overseas duo, were beaten by Lancashire at Blackpool last night.
“Worcester are a team with a bit of form, and they’re up there around the top of the log,” added Wiese. “But, having said, that, I felt we played a really good game against them last time. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out in the end.
“We’ll take this confidence forward.
“We’ve seen that it’s a tight group so far. There’s not really a team who is running away with it.
“But it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. You just need to finish in the top four and into the quarter-finals. Then it’s a shoot-out for Finals Day.
“We’ve got a bit of momentum, but we can’t take it for granted. There’s a lot of cricket still to be played. We’ll keep our head down and trust what we’re doing.”
