Setting a hot pace among Yorkshire hopefuls

The giant pace bowler has made a favourable impression during the opening two games of the County Championship season.

And now he is keen to cement his spot by putting together some consistent displays.

"I've been lucky enough to get an opportunity ahead of some very good young seam bowlers and it's up to me to take that chance," said Hannon-Dalby, who stands a towering 6ft 8in, ahead of today's Championship match at Canterbury.

"I've cemented my place in the second team and now I want to do the same in the first team.

"Hopefully, I'll get a decent run in the side and repay the faith of the captain and coaching staff, who have been extremely supportive.

"But with the likes of James Lee, Ben Sanderson and Lee Hodgson all chomping at the bit to play as well, I know I've got to keep taking wickets because there's a lot of healthy competition for places."

Taking wickets has not proved a problem for Hannon-Dalby this year.

The 20-year-old claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in only his second first-class appearance during Yorkshire's opening County Championship match of the season against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, returning 5-68 from 17 overs.

He followed that with another haul of 5-68 in Yorkshire's six-wicket win over Somerset on Sunday.

"The Edgbaston pitch, in particular, was a nice one to bowl on," said Hannon-Dalby, modestly.

"It offered a bit of help to the seamers and it was a dream come true to pick up five wickets.

"At the same time, when you've got the likes of Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad, Adil Rashid and Steve Patterson bowling at the other end, it makes your job a hell of a lot easier.

"Three of those lads have played for England and you can't help but learn from players of that quality."

Hannon-Dalby's willingness to learn and innate professionalism have made a big impression on Yorkshire's bowling coach Steve Oldham, whom Hannon-Dalby credits with having played a pivotal role in his rise to the first team.

Oldham has an enviable track record of nurturing pace bowlers – Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom are just a few of his proteges – and Hannon-Dalby looks to be another hot prospect off the production line.

"Esso (Steve Oldham) took me under his wing when I was 14 years old and I've been under it ever since," said Hannon-Dalby. "He taught me everything I know.

"When I first started out, I had a totally different action and bowled big inswingers, but Steve corrected my action so I can actually swing it away now.

"I also used to trot in a little bit when I came in to bowl, but I've worked on trying to sprint in a bit more, although I would still like my action to be a little more smooth."

Oldham believes Hannon-Dalby has all the credentials to carve out a successful career.

"He's got good pace, good height and a very good attitude," said Oldham.

"I like the fact he's down-to-earth and eager to learn, and I think the lad has got a very promising future."

To these eyes, there is something reminiscent of former Yorkshire pace bowler Morne Morkel in the way Hannon-Dalby approaches the crease.

But the Halifax-born youngster insists he does not model himself on anyone and is very much his own man.

"I admire a lot of bowlers but I don't consciously try to be like anyone else," he declared.

"I love watching Brett Lee, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison, but I wouldn't say there's any particular bowler I try to model myself on.

"I think it helps that I'm tall because, on flat pitches, it means you can get a bit of extra bounce and perhaps cause one or two extra problems to the batsmen.

"But I'm still learning the game and I know I've got a long, long way to go."

Further opportunities looks set to come Hannon-Dalby's way with Bresnan and Shahzad soon to be away on England duty at the Twenty20 World Cup.

Hannon-Dalby believes a young Yorkshire side can cope in the absence of their two main strike bowlers and maintain their encouraging start to the season.

"I think we've got a lot of strength in depth in the bowling department and in some respects we've got nothing to lose this year," said Hannon-Dalby.

"We're a young team and no-one is really expecting a lot from us, so, hopefully, that will work in our favour.

"I'd like to think we can surprise a few people and go on to have a really good summer.

"It's not going to be easy, but there's a great spirit in the dressing room and all the lads are fighting for each other."

READY TO BLOOM WITH WHITE ROSE

Name: Oliver James Hannon-Dalby

Born: June 30, 1989, Halifax

Style: Right-arm medium fast bowler, left-hand bat

Yorkshire squad number: 12

Height: 6ft 8in

Clubs: Copley CC, Kirkburton CC

Educated: Brooksbank School Sixth Form, Elland

First class debut: v Surrey, 21-24 May 2008, The Oval

Maiden first-class wicket: Mark Ramprakash (Surrey)

Best bowling: 5-68 (v Warwickshire, and v Somerset)

2010 first-class wickets: 13