What a difference a year can make. This time 12 months ago, Iain Wardlaw was a print and design seller in the county.

Now the 26-year-old paceman is trying to force his way into Yorkshire’s first team for the 2012 season by impressing on their pre-season tour of Barbados.

Plucked from Cleckheaton last June after impressing in a couple of training sessions, this is the former Bradford League player’s first full season as a professional.

After making six first-team appearances following his move to Headingley on an 18-month contract last summer, he admits he cannot wait to get going again.

Speaking from the Caribbean, Wardlaw said: “It’s brilliant. I love it.

“It’s a bit of a change around really. This time last year I was driving around Yorkshire on the motorways selling print and design!

“Since day one the lads have been great. In the first net they came up and shook my hand and said ‘welcome’. I feel like I’m part of the team now, which is good.

“I’d like to play more than half the games in the first team (this season) and really establish myself as a one-day cricketer as well.”

Wardlaw’s first chance to stake his claim for a place in the Yorkshire starting XI came yesterday, when the fast bowler was included in the team for the Tykes’ opening Twenty20 match of a pre-season tournament.

He was successful as well, bowling four tight overs to help Yorkshire beat opponents Derbyshire by 60 runs at the Kensington Oval.

First it was captain Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow who stared with the bat, making 46 and 48 respectively as Yorkshire posted 183-8 from their allotted overs.

Then Ryan Sidebottom showed his class with the ball, taking four wickets to help reduce the Falcons’ reply to 123-8 at the close.

It means the Tykes are through to the semi-finals of the competition, which also involves Hampshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and a number of local sides.

They are due to play their last four-tie tomorrow morning, with the final taking place that evening.