ANDREW Gale is close to knowing what his team will look like for Yorkshire’s opening round Specsavers County Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge – which starts in less than a fortnight.

Coach Gale and his players have arrived back at Emerald Headingley after a successful 12-day training camp in Potchefstroom.

The former title-winning captain was not only delighted with the work ethic the squad showed, but also with some performances in one-day and two-day matches against Cardiff MCC Universities, Notts and Durham.

That Harry Brook, Adam Lyth and Jonny Tattersall all scored centuries and Gary Ballance went close will be a significant boost for Gale, who reported two injuries to Tim Bresnan (back) and James Logan (broken thumb).

“It’s been a really good tour,” said Gale, who handed a friendly debut to South African fast bowler Duanne Olivier.

“There’s been some strong performances, with players putting their names forward for the first game of the season.

“But the most pleasing thing is the attitude and work ethic of the players. They’ve really put a shift in and upped the intensity. We come away from South Africa very confident. We’ve ticked a lot of boxes.

“We’ve lost a couple through injury, which isn’t ideal. We’d like to have come back with a clean bill of health. But that’s the nature of the beast.

“On the whole, I’m really really happy. Subject to injuries, we’re getting pretty close to knowing what our first XI will look like against Notts at Trent Bridge.”

On those aforementioned injuries, Gale said: “Bres will go for a scan to see the extent of his back injury. Fingers crossed, he will be ok.

“James Logan is a little bit more complicated. He will have to go and see a hand specialist to see whether he will need an operation on his thumb.

“It’s not ideal, but we usually lose a couple to injury every pre-season.”

Yorkshire beat Cardiff in a one-day game last week before playing out tight two-day clashes with Notts and Durham on Friday and Saturday, and Monday and Tuesday.

Matthew Waite was arguably the biggest winner of the tour having performed with the bat and the new ball in both red and white ball cricket, a new role at senior level for the 23-year-old all-rounder.

Gale said: “We sent him (Waite) away to Australia in the winter to continue his development, to mature as a cricketer. He’s come back and really fired from the word ‘go’.

“Harry Brook, Adam Lyth and Jonny Tattersall as well, scoring hundreds, Gary Ballance getting 90.

“Having Duanne (Olivier) in and around the squad has been a real plus. He’s fitted in really well and is eager to get going.”

Olivier is pencilled in to play in the three-day University friendly against Leeds/Bradford at Weetwood from next Sunday. He will arrive in England in the coming days.

Gale added: “The lads will hit the ground running on Monday.

“We have four full days of training booked in and then the media day and opening lunch on Friday before we play against Leeds/Bradford on Sunday.

“Then we’re into the full swing of things, the games will come thick and fast, and it will be important we get off to a good start.

“I’m really excited about this group of players. I’ve said this from the outset. This group are really hungry for success.

“They know they are going to get opportunities, and it’s up to them to grasp them.

“I’m sure 17 other counties are saying the same thing, but I really do believe in this group. If they can put some consistent performances together, they can compete with the best sides in the country.”