MATTHEW Fisher is hoping he can help to fill Tim Bresnan’s boots at Yorkshire - and then maybe pass some on later in his career.

Fisher is one of a handful of talented all-rounders in the White Rose squad who will all be confident of more first-team cricket following the 35-year-old’s move to Warwickshire.

Bresnan spoke of clearing a path for some of the county’s up and comers when he opted to leave Emerald Headingley last month, and Fisher is in that category.

Like many, the 22-year-old is full of admiration for Bresnan’s qualities as a player, team-mate and mentor, and he has revealed how he benefitted from a boot deal the ex-England star once signed.

“When I was younger and coming into the dressing room, he was in the England side and came back to Yorkshire,” explained Fisher.

“He had a boot sponsorship and would give me boots most seasons. When he rang me up to tell me what was going on with him leaving, which was nice of him, we talked a bit about the boot thing, and I’ll always remember it.

“If I can get to the same point in my career, I’d love to continue that kind of thing with another young player.

“Brez has always been very encouraging with me. He’s said some really nice stuff about me in past interviews, and he was just reminding me to take the Yorkshire mentality forward when we spoke. Everyone who has played for the club cares deeply, and he’s no different.”

Fisher continued: “He will go down as one of the legends of Yorkshire cricket in my eyes. I certainly look up to him.

“He’s obviously achieved so much in the game - a double Ashes winner, a World T20 winner, a double County Championship winner. He’s won the Big Bash in Australia.

“That all speaks for itself, but I think Brez is more proud of what people think of him as a bloke and what he brings to the team.

“I’m sure everyone views him in the same way I do, as someone who would run through a brick wall for you. There were lots of occasions in games where I’ve thought, ‘Wow, I need to be like him’.

“There was a game at Headingley when I was 12th manning that I remember, and he was sore in some part of his body but kept coming on and off the field in-between overs and spells. It was a crucial part of the game, but he just kept going.

“Then, the batting performance at Lord’s in 2016 when we were trying to win that third Championship was just incredible to watch (Bresnan hit 142 not out). For me, he was the best player in county cricket at that time.

“His elbow injury had stopped him playing for England as much as he could have, but he was still very close to, if not at, his peak.

“Yorkshire had the benefit of that kind of form for those three years between 2014 and 2016.”

Fisher definitely has that same ‘run through a brick wall for the team’ quality as Bresnan. A good example was his performance in adversity during last September’s heavy County Championship defeat against Kent at Emerald Headingley.

He was arguably Yorkshire’s best performer, with two wickets in each innings and a career best 47 not out in the first innings.

“I’d like to think my values on the pitch are pretty similar to Brez’s,” he said.

“I know I’ve had injuries, but when I do get out there and play I’m hoping I will show that fight for a prolonged period.

“You want to be known for standing up in a team when things are tough, and I feel like I did that during that Kent game.

“The bigger the challenge is, the more I enjoy it. I’ve probably picked a bit of that up from Brez to add to it being my natural attitude.”

Fisher and the likes of Jordan Thompson, George Hill, Matthew Waite, Tom Loten and the more experienced David Willey will all compete for all-rounder berths in Yorkshire’s teams across various formats.

“It’s important to have a few all-rounders because there has to be rotation,” added Fisher. “We’ve got a nice mix of lads who can play both white ball and red ball.

“My goal is to play as much cricket as possible, but I understand there will be rotation.

“Brez’s boots are very big to fill, and it’s up to all of us to do our bit.

“If we can do even half the job he did, I’m sure it will bring Yorkshire and us lads personally some success.”