Yorkshire County Cricket Club players | The Press, York

Yorkshire County Cricket squad at the start of the 2010 season.

Andrew Gale (c) – 26, LHB. Yorks Best: 150 v Surr, LVCC, 2008.

Can the destructive left-hander combine run-scoring, captaincy and pushing for an England place? He has to concentrate on the first for a successful season.

Jonny Bairstow, 20, RHB, WK. Yorks Best: 84* v Notts, LVCC, 2009.

One of the best young batting and keeping talents on the county circuit. Needs to try and guard against that famous ‘second season syndrome’ though.

Gary Ballance, 20, LHB. Yorks Best: 33 v Ess, 40-ov, 2009.

Showed glimpses of talent during a couple of knocks on Barbados tour, but may have to wait a little longer for regular first team cricket.

Tim Bresnan – 25, RHB, RFM. Yorks Best: 116 v Surr, LVCC, 2007. 5-42 v Worcs, LVCC, 2005.

Remains to be seen how much we will see of all-rounder following impressive winter in international cricket. Couple of match winning performances could be it.

Gerard Brophy, 34, RHB, WK. Yorks Best: 100* v Hants, LVCC, 2007.

Glove-work was impressive in all forms last term, but needs to go extra step after two Championship scores in 90s. Had ankle surgery this winter.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby, 20, RMF. Yorks Best: 1-58 v Surr, LVCC, 2008.

Towering at 6ft 8inches, has all attributes to be a dangerous quickie. Impressed with red ball in Barbados. Only first-class wicket is Mark Ramprakash.

Lee Hodgson, 23, RHB, RM. Yorks Best: 32 v Camb UCCE, F, 2009. 2-44 v Glocs, 40-ov, 2009.

Signed from Surrey last winter, 2009 summer was ravaged by injury. Has all the ability, and may benefit from the absence of fellow all-rounder Bresnan.

James Lee, 21, RMF. Yorks Best: 3-43 v Glocs, 40-ov, 2009.

One of four seamers vying for more first team action. Made his debut at 17. Career stalled since then, but is it about to restart?

Adam Lyth, 22, LHB. Yorks Best: 132 v Notts, LVCC, 2008.

Unfortunate not to play more first team cricket last summer - may not start in Championship this term either. Weight of runs in one-day cricket could be crucial.

Anthony McGrath – 34, RHB, RM. Yorks Best: 211 v Warks, LVCC, 2009. 5-39 v Derby, LVCC, 2004.

No captaincy needs to spark return to form. 850 runs in Championship last term, including 200 against Warks. Repeat innings on Friday would be great.

Steve Patterson, 26, RMF. Yorks Best: 4-41 v Camb UCCE, F, 2009.

Another ‘young’ pace bowler talked about for more first team cricket this term. At 26, he needs to come through sooner rather than later.

Rich Pyrah, 27, RHB, RM. Yorks Best: 106 v Lough UCCE, F, 2007. 4-20 v Durh, T20, 2008.

A vital cog in Yorkshire’s one-day and Twenty20 wheel. Could come up on rails to play more Championship cricket this term. Fabulous fielder.

Azeem Rafiq, 19, RHB, ROB. Yorks Best: 100 v Worcs, LVCC, 2009. 3-34 v Suss, LVCC, 2009.

A future international, without doubt. Confident off-spinner was superb in Barbados, and can bat too. Maiden first-class ton last summer. Captained England U19s this winter.

Adil Rashid, 22, RHB, LB. Yorks Best: 157* v Lancs, LVCC, 2009. 7-107 v Hants, LVCC, 2008.

Needs to forget about England in short term and learn about his game in county cricket. One of most talked about talents to come out of Yorkshire in years.

Joe Root – 19, RHB. Yorks Best: 63 v Ess, 40-ov, 2009.

The England U19s man has a tough job of breaking the Sayers-Rudolph opening partnership. A star of the future. Will bat in middle order if needed.

Jacques Rudolph – 28, LHB. Yorks Best: 220 v Warks, LVCC, 2007.

Undoubtedly Yorkshire’s best player, the opener is white hot favourite to be leading run-scorer again. Important role as Gale’s vice captain too.

Ben Sanderson, 21, RMF. Yorks Best: 1-87 v Lancs, LVCC, 2008.

The pace bowler is probably at back of queue for first team cricket this term. A bagful of wickets in the seconds could change that.

Joe Sayers, 26, LHB. Yorks Best: 187 v Kent, LVCC, 2007.

Marvellous year for opener last time around as he recorded 1,000 Championship runs in a season for first time. Regarded as a senior player now, needs a repeat.

Ajmal Shahzad, 24, RHB, RF. Yorks Best: 88 v Suss, LVCC, 2009. 4-22 v Suss, LVCC, 2007.

Fabulous breakthrough summer in 2009, now playing international cricket. Playing in the Ashes in November is realistic. Yorkshire will hope to see enough of him to have impact though.

David Wainwright, 25, LHB, SLA. Yorks Best: 104* v Suss, LVCC, 2008. 5-134 v Suss, LVCC, 2009.

Spent winter with England Lions, but missed out on surprise place at World Twenty20. At his best under pressure, and wants to play more Championship cricket.

CONTRACTED OVERSEAS PLAYERS

Herschelle Gibbs (T20), 36, South Africa, RHB. International T20 Best: 90* v WI, 2007.

Will open the batting in Twenty20. Pressure is on the Deccan Charger because he’s been signed for just one competition. Has fabulous pedigree.

Ryan Harris, 30, Australia, RFM. International Best: 5-19 v Pak, 50-ov, 2010.

Looked an inspired signing earlier in winter, but breakthrough in international cricket now means we may not see Queenslander in a Yorkshire shirt at all.

POTENTIAL OVERSEAS PLAYER

Tino Best, 28, West Indies, RF. International Best: 4-35 v Bang, 50-ov, 2004.

You’ll either love him or hate him. In your face fast bowler who needs to spark career into life after falling out of favour with West Indies.