Yorkshire sign Jaques for 2012 promotion charge

Phil Jaques, who played for Yorkshire in 2004 and in 2005 when he was a key man in Yorkshire’s promotion back to the Championship top-flight, has re-signed for the Club for the 2012 and 2013 seasons as an overseas batsman. The left-handed top order run machine joins an Andrew Gale side bidding for a quick return to Division One of the LV= County Championship.

Jaques scored 2,477 runs for Yorkshire at 61.92 with a top score of 243 against Hampshire in June 2004. He also played 20 one-day matches for the Tykes, scoring 788 runs at 43.77 and his success with the Tykes helped end a patient wait for full international honours where he played 11 Tests and 6 One-Day Internationals for Australia between December 2005 and June 2008.

He played for Northamptonshire in 2003, scoring 1,409 first-class runs at 58.70 – including 222 against Yorkshire at Wantage Road. And in 2006, 2007 and 2010 he played for Worcestershire where he struck 2,154 runs in 26 first-class fixtures at 47.86.

Andrew Gale, the Yorkshire captain, is thrilled that the 32-year-old Australian is heading back to Headingley: “Phil’s got a proven track record in English cricket. It’s always a worry, when you bring in an overseas player - can they do it in English conditions? We know what he’s like as a character, he’ll help some of the younger guys improve and he’s got that experienced head that we need in the side that we lacked at times last year. We addressed that at the end of last season and Phil was at the top of our list when we heard he was available. He’ll be a great signing for the Club.”

Martyn Moxon added: “Last year we tried to go it alone and we got relegated. I’ve said before we are a work in progress as far as the team is concerned and last year showed that we need a little help in the short-term. Phil has been a fantastic player and was a big influence on the younger players when he was at Yorkshire last time. He is keen to pass on his knowledge as well as show his own ability which will benefit the youngsters that we have here at the moment. His experience and skill will be a great asset to us over the next couple of years while the younger players gain even more knowledge of their own.”

With hectic international schedules each year it is extremely difficult to get an overseas signing to commit to a full season. Moxon is excited to sign a player of Jaques’s quality for two full summers: “It is a rare commodity to find a player of Phil’s stature and secure him for two full summers so we’re delighted that he’s agreed to join us and I’m looking forward to working with him.“

The signing of Phil Jaques may not be the end of Moxon’s winter work. He admits to still being on the lookout for one more player, but won’t reach for the pen unless the quality of the individual benefits his squad.

But for now Moxon is happy to look forward with fresh excitement: “We’ve had a lot of activity over the last couple of months and from my point-of-view it’s all done and dusted and we crack on and work hard in preparation for next season.”