JACK Brooks has signed a new contract with Yorkshire, tying him to last season's county champions until December 2017.

The 30-year-old seam bowler, who recently returned from England Lions' tour to South Africa, was Yorkshire's leading wicket-taker in Championship cricket last season with 68 victims at an average of 28.

He is likely to be in the side which begin their first-class season with the Champion County match against the MCC, starting on Sunday, March 22 in Abu Dhabi.

Brooks, who joined Yorkshire from Northamptonshire in 2012, is also set to be a key figure in the White Rose county's attempt to retain their LV= Division One title and he was delighted to have agreed a new deal.

He said: "I am thrilled to have signed a new contract with Yorkshire. I am enjoying my cricket and have had a brilliant 18 months with the club.

"There is a great vibe around the place and I am confident that, with the quality of players we have, we can continue to be a force in the game.

"It would be fantastic to repeat our efforts of last season and give it a really good push to retain our title in the County Championship.

"The hard work will start in Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the next few weeks. We want to get off to a winning start and build momentum going into the new season. The facilities in the United Arab Emirates are world-class and will be beneficial to our preparation.

"It should be a vibrant tour with lots of cricket to be played in a variety of formats. It is ideal preparation for us and when you consider the squad the MCC have selected, we will have to be at our best to compete.

"It will give us a true indication of where we are at as a side and just what we need to have a real go at the start of the domestic season."

Yorkshire's schedule in the UAE also includes a match against Lancashire Lightning in the Emirates Airlines T20 tournament.