ON top of their search for runs and wickets, it seems Burley-in-Wharfedale's Harry Brook and his Yorkshire County Cricket Club teammate Matthew Fisher may be well suited to a sideline in cricket teas. Just ask Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks for confirmation.

Last Wednesday, Yorkshire young guns Brook and Fisher took on Rich Pyrah and Pete Sim, bowling coach and strength and conditioning coach at Emerald Headingley, in a cookery challenge under the expert eye of North Yorkshire-born TV chef Banks.

Brook and Fisher took home the bacon, having combined to cook a Halibut dish as opposed to the Pyrah-Sim dish of a steak salad. It was an exercise designed to break up winter training for players and coaches and also to help further their understanding of nutrition, a key area of a sports professional’s life.

“There was certainly a lot of banter flying about,” explained fast bowler Fisher who, like Banks, was educated at Easingwold School just north of York.

Banks said: “I played cricket with Matthew’s older brother, so it’s nice to see him do well. Hopefully Matthew can nail down a first-team place this year. Things are looking really good for the team. They played well last year, and the younger lads are coming through and doing well.

“It’s exciting times with the signings they’ve made, but I think there’s some really great opportunities for the youngsters.

“I know the Hundred’s starting this year, and that’s a massive thing, but for a cricket badger like me it makes the 50-over competition more interesting because you are going to see younger lads get a go. There’s so much talent knocking around that Yorkshire can do well.”