Yorkshire’s season-opener against a strong Marylebone Cricket Club outfit in Abu Dhabi will act as perfect preparation for the White Rose’s LV= County Championship title defence, according to Alex Lees.
The Tykes, boasting a squad of 18, flew out to the United Arab Emirates this morning for their pre-season tour that includes an Emirates Airline Twenty20 tournament in Dubai on March 20, two days before the Champion County match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
MCC have named a quality XI for the annual fixture, including England Test skipper Alastair Cook, Michael Carberry, Nick Compton and Graham Onions plus Lions Sam Billings, Adam Riley and Matt Dunn in their ranks.
And Lees believes playing a side boasting that amount of talent will set Yorkshire up for their defence, starting against newly-promoted Division One outfit Worcestershire at New Road from April 12.
He told ecb.co.uk: “It will be ideal to get some good, competitive cricket out there.
“The MCC team will be strong and it will be a tough ask. I don’t know what our team will be. I think the main thing is getting overs and time at the crease.”
One vital component of the White Rose winning their first four-day title for 13 years was the partnership of Lees and Adam Lyth at the top of the order.
The left-handed duo contributed 2,460 runs, Lyth hitting 1,489 at 67.68 and Lees compiling 971 at 44.13, and led to them scooping the top honours at the PCA Awards and Cricket Writers' Club Awards.
After they were both part of the England Performance Programme and England Lions’ squad this winter, they are likely to resume opening the innings for Yorkshire in the Middle East, where they have played before, but not against the pink ball in a day/nighter.
Lyth is looking forward to the trip, telling ecb.co.uk: "It's our first time out there in that game but we've been out there before for pre-season tours so we know a bit about the pitch.
Could be a long flight this. Some big shoulders on this row. #Yorkshirepreseasonpic.twitter.com/cJkKIVR9dG
— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) March 12, 2015
"It's a great way to start the season...it'll be nice to get out on the grass with the sun on our backs and top up the tans while we're at it! Hopefully we can do well out there.”
While Lees believes there will be more expectation on the champions this term, he feels no extra pressure to back up his fine showings in 2014.
The 21-year-old, who also won the LV= Breakthrough Player Award last season, said: “I think as a team there is that little bit more expectancy and onus to win something.
“As a player, personally, not really. I just want to keep improving and better each year. Realistically you are not always going to do that, but that is my ambition.
“Certainly as a team there is a little bit more expectation. We have got a great squad now and everybody is coming to get you.
“When you win the championship you know you are the team that everyone wants to beat, whereas when you are not the holders you can almost go unnoticed.”
Abu Dhabi awaits. Yorkies on Tour #YCCC pic.twitter.com/VkqEB9nBvF
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) March 12, 2015