Blast Insight: Yorkshire Vikings

Here's how the Bears opponents Yorkshire Vikings look ahead of our visit to Emerald Headingley on Thursday 10 June.

Coach: Andrew Gale

Captain: David Willey

Last year’s performance: Fifth (North Group)

2020 Leading Runscorer: Adam Lyth (308 @ 38.5)

2020 Leading Wicket Taker: Matthew Fisher (8 @ 15.25), Jordan Thompson (8 @ 25.5)

Overseas players: Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand - whole group stage), Duanne Olivier (South Africa - whole tournament), Mathew Pillans (South Africa - whole tournament)

Key man: David Willey - Captain and explosive all-rounder has only found rhythm for Yorkshire this summer following injury and unavailability - five years after leaving Northamptonshire. If he finds form, the Vikings could fly.

Flies under the radar: Jordan Thompson - Emerging all-rounder to watch at 24. Last season’s standout player for Yorkshire in four-day cricket, he bats, bowls and fields and has plenty of fire in his belly.

Best player under 24: Harry Brook. Exhilarating batsman, 22. Scored maiden fifty in 25th T20 appearance at the end of 2020 and will plan to build on strong starts from openers Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

Blast expectations: How Yorkshire have only ever reached Finals Day twice (2012 and 2016) is a mystery. They have had strong squads throughout the last two decades, but success hasn’t arrived.

This year is no different. England duo Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid should be available for the first four or five matches, and the Vikings must capitalise. Plenty of batting power, they have beefed up their fast-bowling stocks with the signing of New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson.

Captain David Willey has helped design a striking new Nike playing shirt and wants his team to play a similarly electric brand of cricket. But they have to play smart as well if they want to break their trophy duck.