RICH PYRAH is aiming to use his run in Yorkshire’s Twenty20 team to press his case for inclusion in their LV= County Championship side.

The experienced all-rounder, 31-years-old, has not played a Championship match since last June when he was part of a ten-wicket victory over Middlesex at Lord’s.

His exclusion from the side owes a lot to the strength of the county’s seam bowling attack.

But, unlike a Moin Ashraf, another seamer out of the four-day picture at present, he has the opportunity to use the NatWest T20 Blast to prove his worth in case there are injuries or further international call-ups.

It is not out of the question that Liam Plunkett could be called up by England at some point this summer should his good form continue.

Pyrah ook 2-21 from four overs in Friday’s defeat to Northamptonshire, and he also claimed four wickets in Tuesday night’s Twenty20 friendly against a Harrogate CC Select XI.

“It’s difficult to get into the four-day side, although I’m a fixture in the one-day and Twenty20 line-up,” he said.

“We’ve got the four quicks that are bowling teams out this season, so it is difficult. But, from my point of view, if I can keep performing in one-day and Twenty20 cricket, then a chance will come in the Championship side.

“To win the Championship you need six or seven bowlers, and I’ll just wait patiently for my chance.

“It’s come at a good time the Twenty20 tournament because I can show I am in form, take wickets, then hopefully I’ll be the next one in.”

Pyrah’s exclusion from Yorkshire’s Championship team has been brought into focus all the more seeing as the Roses clash is fast approaching.

The two sides will meet at Headingley on Sunday for the first time in the Championship since July 2011 when he scored a magical career best 117 in that competition to nearly drag the game out of the fire after Yorkshire had been in the mire at 45-8 in their first innings.

He has only played 13 Championship matches in nearly three seasons since then due to injury and selection, but he could be in the squad this weekend seeing as Tim Bresnan is unavailable.

It would still be a surprise to see him play because Ryan Sidebottom should come back into the side having been rested for the recent win over Warwickshire.

Yorkshire are back in NatWest T20 Blast North Division action against the Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire) under lights at Edgbaston tomorrow, starting at 6.30pm. This will be the Bears’ first match of the competition.

While Yorkshire will be missing Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Bresnan due to England duty, their opponents will be without Ian Bell and Chris Woakes.

“They’re a decent side, there’s no doubt about that,” added captain Andrew Gale.

“People like William Porterfield, Laurie Evans, they’ve had some success over the last few years in the 40-over stuff. It’s going to be a good test for us and a test of character if anything to come back from Friday’s defeat.”