Sidebottom confident of winning start against Hampshire

Yorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom insists the Tykes are ready to begin their defence of the County Championship Division One title.
Yorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom is ready and raring to go as the Tykes tackle HampshireYorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom is ready and raring to go as the Tykes tackle Hampshire
Yorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom is ready and raring to go as the Tykes tackle Hampshire

“The lads are in great order. Even though the weather has not been ideal, the prep has gone really well so we’re really excited," said Sidebottom.

"The desire and work ethic is all there, it’s just games now, we’re ready and raring to go.”

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A lot of the talk in pre-season has centred around Yorkshire taking an unprecedented hat-trick of titles, and Sidebottom isn't getting carried away by that.

“Most definitely, we’re not getting too carried away, we know it’s going to be tough and we know we have to play well ourselves," he added.

"There are some stronger teams now, who have made some good signings so it’s going to be really tough.

"First division cricket is hard, but we’re in a good place and we’ve got to perform.

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"The good thing is we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves, we make sure we take each session as it comes, keep it really simple and not get carried away.”

Sidebottom isn't underestimating a dangerous Hampshire side.

He added: “They’ve got some good players. Fidel Edwards had a great back-end to last year. Ryan McLaren’s a really good player, they’ve got a good all-round team. I expect a really hard fought game.

“At Headingley, nobody really likes coming here so if we play well, we’re always going to be in the game.”

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Yorkshire have named a 13-man squad, which includes new signing David Willey fresh from his exploits with England in the ICC T20 World Cup.

He is joined in the squad alongside his England colleagues Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid.

Seamer Tim Bresnan continues his rehabilitation from a torn calf and England batsman Joe Root is rested after a long campaign with the national side.

Root is set to make his first appearance of the season against Nottinghamshire on Sunday May 1.

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Yorkshire 13-man squad to face Hampshire: Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Gary Ballance, Jack Brooks, Andrew Gale (captain), Jack Leaning, Alex Lees, Adam Lyth, Steve Patterson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Will Rhodes, Ryan Sidebottom, David Willey.