Starc news can warm Yorkshire

Andrew Gale, captain of a Yorkshire side still seeking a first championship win of the season, has earmarked his county's match against Gloucestershire at Bristol on May 9 as Mitchell Starc's debut for the county.

The arrival of Starc, one of Australia's up-and-coming fast bowlers, is eagerly awaited by Yorkshire as they seek a greater cutting edge to an attack that has so far failed to impress after relegation to the Second Division.

Gale expects Cricket Australia to provide Starc's No Objection Certificate imminently. "Hopefully, Mitchell's NOC will come through in the next day or so," he said. "He will certainly add further quality to the side. Fingers crossed, he will be available for the Gloucestershire match. It's just a question now of sorting out the paperwork."

Starc, a 22-year-old left-armer, would then fly from Sydney on May 4, subject to receiving his visa in time. He returned to Australia's side for the final Test against West Indies in Dominica and now has taken ten wickets at an average of 32.50 in four Tests.

Kent, who have made a strong start to the season after finishing second bottom last season, proved the latest Division Two side to trouble Yorkshire in a rain-hit match at Canterbury, adding to the disgruntlement of Yorkshire members.

Some Yorkshire members have been heard to complain that Gale's Yorkshire side spends too much time fielding with their hands in their pockets. There is good reason for that: with temperatures as low as 5C, Yorkshire have been using hand-warmers.