WILL Fraine has posted two encouraging scores during his spell of first-class cricket in Zimbabwe.

The Yorkshire batter has played three four-day games for the Eagles so far.

He hit 45 and 88 opening the batting in an innings defeat against the Rocks at the start of the month.

They are the two standout scores for the 25-year-old, who will this summer be hoping to marry excellent recent white ball performances with similar in the County Championship.

As for T20 news, Yorkshire are likely to have to employ a stand-in captain for the opening games of this summer’s Vitality Blast following David Willey’s Indian Premier League call-up.

Last weekend, the all-rounder was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the pre-tournament auction, in which Jonny Bairstow was signed by Punjab Kings.

The dates for the 2022 IPL have yet to be confirmed, but it has been suggested the final will take place on June 3.

If RCB qualify for that final, it means Willey would stand to miss the opening five North Group games.

Last season, when Willey missed games due to international commitments, both Adam Lyth and Joe Root captained the Vikings.

Meanwhile, Willey and new Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson are on course for T20 silverware in the Pakistan Super League with Multan Sultans.

The new county colleagues have helped the reigning champions to the top of the group stage table, winning seven of their eight games so far.

The Sultans have already qualified for the knockout stages, which culminates in the final on February 27.

Gibson is bowling coach with the Sultans, for whom Willey has taken seven wickets in four games so far. He has been struck down by sickness over the last week or so.

They are captained by star Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.

Harry Brook and Haris Rauf have helped Lahore Qalandars into second place in the table, but unfortunately Jordan Thompson’s Karachi Kings are already out of contention.

As for a little bit of domestic news, Mat Pillans, who was released by Yorkshire at the end of last season, has joined Harrogate as a player/coach.