I AM obviously delighted to have been able to continue my recent run of encouraging scores in New Zealand with a double hundred for Bay of Plenty over the weekend.

I scored 223 in our three-day Hawke Cup match against Counties Manukau, a competition in which we are the defending champions. It was a club-record score, which is also a nice thing to have alongside your name.

The most pleasing aspect, though, is being able to do it under a bit of pressure. When you get somebody in to come and play for you, you want them to make a big impact – and as a player, you want to add value to their team. Thankfully I was able to do that pretty quickly.

The pitch was very good, I kept it simple and played straight down the ground. It was also a quick outfield, they gave me some stuff to hit, which was nice, and I felt like I had a good tempo to the knock.

I batted at three, because they have a solid opening pair who have been together for the last couple of years, and I don't mind that. I think it's healthy every now and again to bat in a slightly different position.

The Bay of Plenty currently hold the Hawke Cup, ironically named after Lord Hawke, with matches decided on first-innings runs for the holders to retain it. We got just over 700 batting first before we bowled them out for 220.

There are four zones in the competition, with the winner of each zone getting a challenge against the holders. To beat the champions, the challenger has to win the match outright away from home or win on first innings.

We have another defence in a couple of weeks. If we come through all of our matches, we obviously keep the cup, but lose one and that's it. Since we last spoke, I also scored an 80 in club cricket.

Elsewhere in the Yorkshire squad, it was great to see Tim Bresnan and Dave Willey have some success with Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash.

I realise Dave didn't play in their win in Saturday's final – but to play in a different competition, a tough one at that, be really good additions to their team and taste success is a great feat for both of them.

It's also another trophy in the cabinet for Brez, who is just a great performer wherever he goes. He's great with bat and ball, knows his game inside out and is reaping rewards for all the hard work he puts in.

It doesn't surprise me one bit that he has been appointed as our vice-captain for the summer ahead. He's a senior player with international experience and a strong voice in our changing room.

I expect him to do a good job and that sort of role will be perfect for him because it gives him that extra responsibility he enjoys.

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