WILL Fraine wants a consistent run of games in the Vitality Blast to provide the springboard for more red ball appearances for Yorkshire.

The Huddersfield-born 24-year-old has found a home as the finisher in the Vikings middle order, and will hope to further prove why in tonight’s clash with 2018 champions Worcestershire Rapids at New Road (5.30pm).

Fraine’s job is to propel Yorkshire to an above par score as well as to build on the good work of the likes of Adam Lyth, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan when they are available.

And he has done it with significant success, though ironically hardly contributed to last night’s win in which 240-4 was scored against Leicestershire at Emerald Headingley. 

He finished with only two not out off three balls and was starved of the strikes as unbeaten Brook smashed 48 off 16 and dominated a late 51 stand. 

Since the start of last season’s Blast, batting at five or six, Fraine has posted scores of 44 off 16 balls, 36 off 15, 24 off 15, 28 off 21 and 19 off eight.

The latter sealed last week’s opening night victory over Birmingham Bears at Emerald Headingley.

He said: “I’ll be honest, it’s a role I didn’t know I could do until that first game against Derbyshire last year (44 not out).

“I’d never batted in that role before, and I didn’t know I could do that from ball one or two. 

“I’ve always been an opening batter like Tom (Kohler-Cadmore). But I’ve taken to it pretty well.”

Coming in from ball one and trying to smash it is certainly a glitzy role, but one which Fraine says is not easy.

“It’s certainly a difficult thing to do if they get their Yorkers in and nail their skills,” he said.

“There will be days when it goes very wrong and I’ll get none and others when things don’t go well for the team and I’ll have to play situations. It’s a learning curve.”

Since joining Yorkshire at the start of 2019, Fraine has played only 13 first-class games, scoring a century in that season’s County Championship over Surrey at Scarborough when he convincingly dealt with the threat of South African great Morne Morkel.

He has opened the batting as well as dropping down the order, but his second-team form this season has given a definite indication that he can certainly fulfil his aim.

He has scored 346 runs in four second-team Championship games at an average of 57.66, including a best of 186 against Gloucestershire at Bristol in April.

He said: “I’ve been in and out of the red ball team, and it’s tough not knowing when you’re playing. But I’ve had a good year in the second team. It’s an ongoing process for me. 

“I’ve hopefully got a run of games coming up in T20, and my aim is certainly to be an all format player.”

Worcestershire have made an unbeaten start to this season’s Blast, winning two to build on an opening night tie against Nottinghamshire at New Road last Wednesday.

They have since beaten Northamptonshire away and Lancashire at home, the most recent on Sunday chasing only 133.

A real feature of the two games at New Road has been a slow pitch. Adil Rashid could certainly enjoy himself, and it would be no surprise to see Dom Bess drafted into the side to support him.

The Rapids have signed Australian fast bowler and Big Bash champion Ben Dwarshuis and New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi as their overseas players.

All-rounder Moeen Ali will captain the Rapids before linking up with England’s T20 squad this weekend.