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Yorkshire Morne breaks the ice

There aren't that many county cricketers who enjoy watching the rain come down to ruin a day's play.

But South African speedster Morne Morkel believes a prolonged weather break on the first day of last week's County Championship draw with Nottinghamshire has helped him to integrate into the Yorkshire dressing-room.

The 23-year-old Nashua Titans bowler only arrived in the country a couple of days before the game, with Jacques Rudolph the only player he knew.

But he was able to bond with his new colleagues after most of the first day was washed out last week.

"It was actually something that worked to my advantage," he confirmed of the weather. "I got to spend some time with the guys in the dressing-room, getting to know them.

"It's always a bit weird coming to a new country with people you don't know - so for me it's been an awesome start and I'm really happy with it."

Morkel, whose twin brother Albie is currently playing in the Indian Premier League, went on to take just one wicket and score eight runs in two innings with the bat.

He also picked up a slight hamstring strain - but will almost certainly be fit for Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy Roses clash against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

"I picked up that little niggle in the four-day game, but it's nothing too serious. I'm pretty sure I'll be ready for the next game on Sunday," he confirmed.

One of the things Morkel learnt in his time in the dressing-room was just how important the rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire is.

He will also come face to face with one of his best friends away from the game - Lancashire's Kolpak signing Francois Du Plessis, who plays for the Titans too.

"Speaking to the guys they've told me it's massive, so I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I'm always up for a big game and it's going to be a good challenge. I'll be ready for it."

Yorkshire would go to the top of the FPT North Division with a win against the Lightning on Sunday.

9:23am Thursday 8th May 2008

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