Yorkshire fans are set to see a batting line-up involving international trio Harry Brook, Shan Masood and Joe Root as early as the second game of the Vitality County Championship season.
Brook has made himself available for the first five matches of the Division Two campaign, starting against Leicestershire at Headingley a week on Friday.
Captain Shan Masood is also available for that game, the Pakistani overseas star arriving in England later this week to begin his second season with the club. The Pakistan Test skipper is expected to be available for much of the summer across all formats.
Root is available for five of the first seven games, starting with the second round trip to face Gloucestershire at Bristol on Friday April 12.
Before Yorkshire’s ongoing friendly with Leeds/Bradford MCC Universities, coach Ottis Gibson described the prospect of England stars Brook and Root playing together as “special”.
And today, he has pinpointed the pair’s availability, with Root only unavailable for the Leicestershire opener.
Root will then be available for the first half of the Vitality Blast T20 campaign from late May into June as England play in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. Brook is likely to be involved in that international tournament.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Harry Brook and Joe Root will be available to Yorkshire for five early-season Championship matches apiece.
The pair have not made a Yorkshire appearance of any sort since 2022, Root in May of that year and Brook July.
Fin Bean, who hit 62 on day one against Leeds/Bradford as Yorkshire closed on 294-5, said: “It’s great to have those two in the middle order and also to pick their brains a bit and see how they go about it.
“It’s massive for us. You don’t really get to see any of them (England players) much. I’ve not seen Rooty since I signed my first deal here (in mid-2022).
“To have him around to play a huge chunk of games is fantastic. I haven’t played a first-team game with Brooky either. I’m looking forward to it.”
Gibson also spoke today about Masood’s impending arrival. He said: “Shan is due in on the 28th or the 29th to play in the two-day game against Durham at the weekend.
“Shan’s mad keen to play as much as he can for us.
“Last year, there was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with him getting selected for things he wasn’t expecting to get selected for.
Picture by John Heald. Shan Masood bats at Grace Road last September.
“He’s always on the phone, messaging to ask, ‘How are things going on there?’
“He wants to be here for the start of the season and sees the value in being here to help get us off to a really good start.
“He’s shown a tremendous attitude, putting messages of encouragement on the WhatsApp group through the winter when the boys were working hard in the East Stand.
“We can’t wait to welcome him back later this week.”
On today’s game, Bean added: “It was good to spend some time at the crease.
“I spoke to one of their lads and he said that it was the first time they’ve bowled outside, so you felt for them a bit in the wet. But Hilly said that it was seaming around a bit later on.
“It’s invaluable to spend some time in the middle and get ready for that Leicestershire game.”
Picture by John Heald. Fin Bean drives with a flourish against Leeds/Bradford today.
