Anthony McGrath column

We’ve had quite a lot of success with Australian overseas players at Yorkshire over the years and fingers crossed Mitchell Starc can add himself to the list.

Thanks to our links with Darren Lehmann and South Australia, we’ve had Jason Gillespie, Greg Blewett and Mark Cleary. We’ve also had some other fine Aussies in Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn and Phil Jaques, to name just a few.

I have to confess that I don’t know a great deal about Starc, who should arrive within the week. The only bits I’ve seen of him are on telly really.

When we looked like we were going to be in line to sign him, I had a quick look at him during the recent West Indies Test.

I had a quick word with Phil Jaques about him and he’s got some pace and can swing the ball as well. He seems to be handy with the bat too. Apart from that, I know very little about him.

I know he’ll be excited to come over and see what England’s all about. I’m sure he’ll be looking towards that next Ashes tour and getting an idea of what things will be like.

I know it won’t please some people, who will say we shouldn’t be helping the Aussies ahead of the Ashes series next year, but I’ve never really agreed with those kind of statements.

You can also look at it the other way and say we’re getting a chance to see him and get used to playing against him.

From his point of view, he’s probably lucky that his Championship debut’s likely to be at Gloucester rather than against Leicester at Scarborough this week.

I’m sure he’s been to Scarborough in Perth but it’s nothing like the one in Yorkshire!

In all seriousness, having had such a good March weather wise – both at home and abroad for us – April’s been an absolute disaster.

Playing so many games in the early part of the season as we do, it really is frustrating.

If the lads can get four decent days at Scarborough, there’s normally a result. Fingers crossed we can pick up a win.