England have an eye on Yorkshire’s newest pro
New rookie professional Matthew Firbank is a tall fast bowler who is both highly-rated by Yorkshire and England.
A product of the Yorkshire system – he has come up through the age-groups and the Academy – he has been playing for the county’s second team for the last couple of seasons.
He has played his league cricket at both the Pannal and Clifton Alliance clubs.
Last month, the 18-year-old played for the England Under 19s in an ODI victory over India at Worcester, striking with the new ball to get the visiting side’s captain Ayush Mhatre. He also took three wickets against the same opponents in a warm-up for an England Young Lions XI.
Firbank’s first recorded appearance for Yorkshire came in the Under 14s, and he has also played for Scarborough College.
In 2023, he claimed a best of 6-46 having taken the new ball for Clifton Alliance in a YPL North defeat against Stamford Bridge and played in the early stages of the club’s title-winning campaign at the start of last year before injury.
“He was out of action for a period of time at the back end of last year to early this with a stress-related injury in his back,” said James Martin, Yorkshire’s head of the performance pathway.
“The way he’s managed his rehab throughout the winter, and ultimately where he’s come through to now, is exceptional.
“He’s an out-and-out seamer, he bowls at pace, he stands the seam up, he looks to challenge right-hand and left-hand and constantly challenges stumps.
“He’s a very exciting young cricketer who offers something in all formats – T20, 50-overs and red-ball cricket.
“It’s been really good to see his progression given what was quite a tough winter for him mentally more so than anything. This contract is just the icing on the cake.”
AUGUST 2025
