As Yorkshire’s cricketers prepare to fly out to United Arab Emirates to begin their pre-season tour on Thursday the county has announced that seam bowler Jack Brooks has signed a new contract which keeps him at Headingley until December 2017.

The 30-year-old, who recently returned from the England Lions tour of South Africa, was Yorkshire’s leading wicket taker in Championship cricket last season with 68 wickets at an average of 28.

Later this month, he is likely to be in the Yorkshire side which will begin its first-class season with the Champion County match against the MCC beginning on Sunday March 22 in Abu Dhabi.

Brooks is also to be a key figure in the White Rose’s attempt to retain their LV= Division One title and, unsurprisingly, he was delighted to have agreed a new deal.

“I am thrilled to have signed a new contract with Yorkshire,” he said. “I am enjoying my cricket and have had a brilliant 18 months with the Club.

“There is a great vibe around the place and I am confident that with the quality of players we have here, we can continue to be force in game. It would be fantastic to repeat our efforts from last season and give it a real good push to retain our title in the County Championship.

“The hard work will start in Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the next few weeks. We want to get off to a winning start and build momentum going into the new season. The facilities in the UAE are world-class and will be beneficial to our preparation.

“It should be a vibrant tour with lots of cricket to be played in a variety of formats. It is ideal preparation for us and when you consider the squad the MCC have selected, we will have to be at our best to compete. It will give us a true indication of where we are at as a side and just what we need to have a real go at the start of the domestic season.”

Yorkshire’s schedule in the UAE also includes a match against Lancashire Lightning in the Emirates Airlines T20 tournament.