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By Kevin Howells BBC Sport

Matthew Elliott has played only two games for Yorkshire but his presence has been clearly felt.

The Australian made 83 on his county debut against Lancashire, helping Yorkshire to their first county championship win, and then scored a ton in the Norwich Union defeat to Leicestershire on Sunday.

And he has enamoured the Yorkshire faithful by declaring: "In being truthful I think that every Australian aspires to play for Yorkshire."

As an overseas player I think one of my roles is to help try and nurture those players

Matthew Elliott

Elliott has fond memories of Headingley, having scored 199 in 1987 in a Test match against England.

He has already signed for another year and there are reports that he may become captain if Darren Lehmann is again committed to playing international cricket.

Elliott talks like a captain.

He said: "The tradition of the club and its name is enormous in our country and if you say that you are Yorkshire's overseas player it really does carry some weight back home."

That sort of comment will go down very well from the dales to the cities as will his attitude to the younger players whom he has only seen for a week but has already been impressed with.

Elliott said: "As an overseas player I think one of my roles is to help try and nurture those players.

"I am aware that I am taking up a position of an English person in county cricket.

"But I think also that if I can help and develop some of those players into very good first class cricketers not only for Yorkshire but also for England I think everybody wins in that scenario as well."

Blakey (right) watches former team-mate Byas bowled
An Aussie wanting to help England? I think I believe him.

Last month stand-in captain Richard Blakey declared Yorkshire could neither bat, bowl or field and that was why the defending county champions were bottom of the table.

They are still facing almost certain relegation at the bottom of division one but at least they have finally won a championship match.

Blakey will again captain Yorkshire when they take on Hampshire - but he is now more complimentary towards his side.

Blakey told Yorkshire Uncovered: "Last week, it was like old times having played well for the previous month.

"People were buzzing around and they were very confident and they were happy playing cricket again.

Elliott has been in great form
"If we can take that confidence with us for the rest of the season then there is no reason at all why we can't stay up."

Blakey's contract runs out at the end of this season and he is putting on hold any talk of his future until after that final.

Reserve wicket-keeper Simon Guy is unlikely to hang around another season if Blakey, who turns 36 next January, is still wearing the gloves.

But the elder statesman is not for going yet.

He has been at Headingley for 17 years and wants another two.

Blakey said: " I think lads in the second team also have to earn there place.

"They can't be holding the club to ransom or the team to ransom.

"I'm sure when his [Guy's] time comes he will do a good job.

"I would like to think I would have some input in my future having been at this club for as long as I have."

We'll wait and see.

Yorkshire Uncovered can be heard on Thursdays on BBC Radio Five Live's Ian Payne Show (7.00-10.00pm). Next instalment: 29 August.


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