MATTHEW Waite has admitted his surprise at being placed above the likes of Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett and David Willey in Yorkshire's batting order – but the rising talent says he is relishing the chance to prove his worth.

The all-rounder has been one of the Vikings' stand-out performers in their Royal London Cup campaign, which continues at home to Leicestershire today.

Waite has scored 149 runs from five matches, including his maiden first-team fifty against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Sunday, and has added nine wickets with his bustling seamers.

The 21-year-old has held his place for the last two matches against Northamptonshire and the Bears despite the presence of five England players in the White Rose line-up, including Test captain Joe Root.

Yet Yorkshire's young player of the year in 2016 has even batted at six and seven, scoring career-bests of 43 and then 71, and said: "I can't believe it, to be honest.

"But it's nice that Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance trust me, which gives me confidence. Even to be in the side with six internationals, it's pleasing to know that I can get in a side that good.

"I'm happy with how I've gone. I've contributed to some wins and each game I'm getting more and more confident and believing I can do it at this level. It's been a good experience."

Yorkshire head into today's final North Group fixture against the Foxes, starting at 2pm, knowing they have already qualified for the knockout stage.

Now they want to top the section and clinch a home semi-final instead of having to contest a play-off game between second in the North and third in the South or vice versa.

The defeat against the Bears on Sunday means current leaders Worcestershire are favourites to finish top.

They are a point ahead of Yorkshire and a win at Derbyshire today will be enough for them no matter what the Vikings do against a Foxes side who could still finish third.

Yorkshire will be without their five England players today – including Root, who Waite revealed helped him significantly before the Warwickshire game.

He said: "Rooty wanged (threw) at me for 20 minutes in the nets on Saturday and gave me some tips. It's been great to have the England lads around."

Another man who Waite has praised for his help is Tim Bresnan, who shared a sixth-wicket century partnership with him at Edgbaston.

The former Yorkshire Academy captain said: "He's a role model and has helped me. If I achieve half of what he's achieved, I'll be very happy.

"He just helps me with batting and bowling. Even on the field, if I'm getting a bit of tap, he'll come over and tell me what to do; calm me down.

"When we were batting together on Sunday, he said 'stand still and hit the ball'. Just that little bit of advice. He's got that experience."

Waite's two wickets, including Ian Bell for 98 at the death, could not prevent Warwickshire from chasing down 282 for victory.

Nonetheless, he relished the challenge of testing himself against former England pair Bell and Jonathan Trott and said: "You learn a lot bowling at those two."

Yorkshire (from): Ballance (capt), Bresnan, Carver, Coad, Fisher, Handscomb (wkt), Leaning, Lees, Lyth, Patterson, Rafiq, Rhodes, Tattersall, Waite.