OVERSEAS quick Lockie Ferguson says there are comparisons to be drawn between the dressing room cultures at Yorkshire and New Zealand.

The Kiwi fast bowler is loving his first campaign in White Rose colours, helping the Vikings into a healthy state in the Vitality Blast North Group, despite Wednesday night’s heavy defeat at Birmingham.

Ferguson has described the Yorkshire players as a “humble” group.

Humility is a word often used to describe New Zealand’s teams under Kane Williamson.

And ahead of tonight’s Sky Sports televised Roses clash with Lancashire at Emerald Headingley (6.30pm), Ferguson said: “I came into the group and wasn’t sure what they would be like. But they are the most humble bunch I’ve played with.

“It’s a testament to the coaching staff and the captains - we’ve had three of them in the competition - that the players have stayed level throughout.

“I’ve talked to the boys about this, and the New Zealand team I play in we focus on what we call horizontal hierarchy.

“That’s not just the coaches and senior players having a say, but the younger ones with new ideas and a new way of playing the game. They have just as much a say.

“That happens at Auckland as well, and it happens here.

“The way the lads have accepted me in, and given me a bit of stick, which I love, has been amazing.

“You’re going to have ups and downs in cricket. But that culture is what helps you bounce back from the tough nights.”

Bouncing back from a tough night is exactly the task facing Yorkshire after the 10-wicket defeat at Edgbaston. It was their third defeat in 10 games and meant they slipped to second in the group.

One more win from four games should qualify the Vikings for the quarter-finals, and the first opportunity could not be greater given it is against Lancashire.

Despite being bowled out for 81 by the Bears, their lowest ever Blast total, stand-in captain Adam Lyth insists Yorkshire will not shy away from their aggressive style of batting when they step out at Headingley.

“We have to take the aggressive option like we have done all season,” he said.

“We’re on our home ground, and just because we’ve been bowled out for 80 doesn’t mean we’re going to play any different. Hopefully we just don’t get out.”

Lancashire will field overseas batsmen Finn Allen and captain Dane Vilas.

Kiwi Allen is a close friend of Ferguson’s. The two played together at Auckland before the 22-year-old moved to Wellington.

A hard-hitting opener, Allen has burst onto the scene over the last nine months with some outstanding performances in New Zealand’s Super Smash competition.

He debuted for his country in T20s in March, posting a top-score of 71 in three games.

He immediately went to the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he gained experience training alongside and watching AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell.

“Finn is an absolute gun,” Ferguson added. “He’s a very confident young lad.

“He has some seriously quick hands and hand eye co-ordination.

“In terms of New Zealand Cricket, it’s exciting that we have a young guy who has that much confidence and is prepared to take the game on. That is all you can ask of young players.

“I’m excited to play against him. I’ve been giving him a bit of banter, as you do.

“I’ve not played against him in a game, just bowled to him in the nets.”

In terms of the Yorkshire squad for tonight's game, Harry Duke comes in and will keep wicket.

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root and David Willey are all unavailable due to England commitments.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (broken finger) and Will Fraine (oblique strain) remain on the sidelines.

13-MAN SQUAD TO TAKE ON LANCASHIRE LIGHTNING

Gary Ballance
Dominic Bess
Harry Brook
Harry Duke (Wicketkeeper)
Lockie Ferguson
Matthew Fisher
George Hill
Dominic Leech
Adam Lyth (Captain)
Josh Poysden
Mark Stoneman
Jordan Thompson
Matthew Waite