JORDAN Thompson made a fast start to the summer with an excellent bowling performance against Durham, but it should have been no real surprise given speed has been of the essence for him this winter.

The all-rounder, 23, claimed five crucial wickets across both innings of the opening round Bob Willis Trophy win at Emirates Riverside.

He made the most of an unexpected chance following a late shoulder injury for Matthew Waite and was an integral part of a relentless display across both innings from the quartet of seamers - Ben Coad, Matthew Fisher and Steve Patterson the others.

Thompson displayed an extra yard of pace to hurry the Durham batsmen and give Andrew Gale confidence that he can be a constant threat throughout the shortened red ball competition.

“The winter seems so long ago now,” he chuckled when recalling technical improvements made to his game.

“But throughout that time with the physical work and conditioning we do, it was an aim of mine to put on that extra bit of pace so I can get that swing and nip at five miles an hour more. You cause more problems with that.

“Hopefully the work I’ve done has paid dividends.”

Thompson is another example that the winter pace bowling programme led by Rich Pyrah is working. A few years ago, Coad worked hard to add extra pace and has never looked back.

“We’re quite a young seam attack now,” said Thompson.

“Patto is leading us from the front at the older end, but we’re all fighting on the same front. We’re all pushing each other and backing each other.”

There is no doubt there will be changes to Yorkshire’s bowling attack throughout the next few weeks given the options available and the need for rest and rotation because of the amount of cricket scheduled in such a short space of time.

However, Thompson is set to get plenty more chances to impress. And he is desperate to make the most of them. Yorkshire face Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, starting on Saturday.

“With a lot of England players away having picked two different squads for the Test and one-day stuff, you saw there were quite a few debuts around the grounds in the first round,” he said.

“That’s a great opportunity for the likes of Jack Shutt.

“For all young players, debut or not, it’s about stepping up and taking your chance and continuing that throughout the games.

“I had two games last season in the Championship and did okay. But some lads came back, and I found myself in the second team in the red ball stuff.

“Hopefully now I can get a run of games and put in some decent performances.”

It has been a strange old few months for everyone inside and outside of cricket. But for Thompson, it has been especially unusual.

As a young man with type 1 diabetes, the threat of coronavirus has thrown up different challenges.

“At the start of lockdown, I did receive a letter from the NHS - the 12-week shielding letter,” he explained.

“Once more research had been done, it was decided that the younger end of the type 1 diabetics, who are otherwise fit and healthy, shouldn’t be shielding.

“We were worried a bit at the start, as I was thinking: ‘If we get back training, will I be able to go in as normal with the rest of the lads?’

“But I can’t complain. Everyone has taken the correct precautions to make everything safe.

“I’m happy with how everything’s gone through the five-week training block at Headingley and then going up to Durham. It’s all been brilliant.

“I don’t think there’s anyone else in my position around the county circuit, in terms of the diabetes.

“It’s testament to all those involved that they’ve made me feel very safe.”