AARON Finch is proof that everybody needs good neighbours after a speedy recovery from a torn left hamstring has handed Yorkshire's NatWest T20 Blast campaign a timely boost.

Melbourne-based Finch lives in the city which is home to the famous Australian Soap, set on Ramsay Street.

But the 28-year-old batsman's return to action five weeks ahead of schedule has nothing to do with Harold Bishop or Karl Kennedy.

A lot of it is down to Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

Ahead of Sunday's Blast clash with Northamptonshire at Headingley, the Vikings overseas opener, initially ruled out for three months, explained: "Having the physio living just around the corner from me in Melbourne was nice.

"Unluckily for Australia, he's been through a few hamstring injuries with Michael (Clarke), the Marsh brothers and Nathan Coulter-Nile, so I think they're pretty spot on with their rehab.

"Not having a history of injuries also helped me. This is the first time I've had a hamstring injury, and the first time I've missed cricket through an injury."

No doubt, there has been frustration on Finch's part at not being able to play since April 14, having suffered the tear while on duty at the Indian Premier League.

But he is determined to look on the bright side as he prepares for his second spell at Headingley.

He is due to play in all of the competitions before linking up with Australia's limited-overs squads for their series against England in late August.

"I'm feeling really good," he said. "Being out with injury was the first time I'd missed any cricket in about three years, so it was the first time I'd had more than about a ten-day break in that time.

"It hasn't come at the worst time because I'm feeling really fresh now.

"I loved training, I always have. But I'm really excited to start playing again. Sitting around at home was doing my head in a bit."

Finch only scored 256 runs in ten T20 appearances for Yorkshire last season, including two fifties.

"Last year, I was disappointed with my T20 form," he added.

"I had a couple of decent innings, but my consistency wasn't really there. Hopefully this year I can win a couple of games and be someone at the top of the order who really gets us off to a good start."

Finch links up with former housemate Glenn Maxwell as the county's other overseas player as Yorkshire aim to end a two-game losing streak and win for the third time in five North Division matches.

Yorks 14-man squad: Gale (captain), Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Ballance, Bresnan, Brooks, Finch, Gibson, Leaning, Lees, Maxwell, Middlebrook, Patterson, Pyrah, Rhodes.