Yorkshire strike bowler Jack Brooks has signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at the Club until the end of the 2018 season.
The Oxford-born 32-year-old joined the White Rose in 2012 and, with his current contract due to expire in December 2017, the Club have moved to secure his services for a further year.
In 2016, Brooks took 60 wickets, taking his career tally to 360 at an average of 26.59 and was named Specsavers County Championship Bowler of the Year.
“I’m very happy!” said Brooks. “I wasn’t looking to leave and I’ve had a really good time since I joined a few years ago. My career has gone a lot better than I thought and it’s a dream to spend another couple of years here.
“This will be my fifth season and I’ve probably played some of the best cricket of my career up here since I arrived from Northants and it’s just great to extend that for another season.
“I like playing with this set of lads, they’ve all been brilliant. The fact that we’re always up there and challenging for trophies is great too; that’s important for professional sportsmen. I feel as if I’ve been adopted by the North, I’ve spent a lot of time up here and I’m still really enjoying it.”
Brooks, who spearheaded Yorkshire’s bowling attack throughout their Championship wins of 2014 and 2015, still harbours hopes of an England call-up and believes a successful season with the White Rose could force him into the reckoning.
“As long as I’m a professional I will always have England ambitions,” he added. “I get out of bed everyday hoping that I can one day play for England and I use that as a drive to get me through training. I’ve still got unfinished business with Yorkshire and we want to go and win a few trophies.
“I’ve been involved in England Lions setups and international practices and our sessions are really intense and full on. You’ve got to be on your mettle every day. You know when you turn up to net and you’re bowling at guys who have played for their country and are top quality opposition. It can get a bit feisty, but that’s what I need. I need the competition element to compete and practice; it only improves you. You want to put yourself under pressure to see whether your skills match-up under pressure.
“To win the Championship in Siddy’s (Ryan Sidebottom) last year would be the perfect send off for him. That’s what we’re going to use as our main thrust for the season.”
