Richard Pyrah took some important steps forward in his Yorkshire career towards the end of last season - and now he has gone on to scale the heights.

But his cricket ambitions still remain to be fully realised because his recent rapid climb up the ladder has been on to the rooftops of houses and industrial buildings around Ossett, which is where he has lived all his life.

"I have spent the last three winters playing club cricket in New Zealand but this year I thought I would stay at home and concentrate on improving my fitness," said the 22-year-old right-hand batsman and medium-pace bowler.

"I did a friend a favour by joining his business and starting work as a roofer and the first thing I had to do was conquer my fear of heights!

"I had always been frightened of looking down but I've managed to control it and now I've seen some great views across Yorkshire.

"And there's no doubt that all the climbing up and down has made me feel really fit. My leg muscles are stronger than they have ever been and I hope all the exercise stands me in good stead next season."

The fact that Pyrah managed to conquer his fear of heights so quickly will not surprise those Yorkshire fans who saw him make his Championship debut against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay last August. As soon as he walked to the crease, with Yorkshire on the verge of a crisis, he displayed guts galore.

On a rain-affected pitch and in almost impossible playing conditions, Pyrah found himself up against England pace-ace Simon Jones, who was showing aggressive intent on his return from injury and wanting to prove to everyone that he had lost none of his menace.

One nasty short-pitched delivery from Jones came whistling out of the gloom and slammed into Pyrah's protective helmet. The next ball was also an intended bouncer but Pyrah got behind it and pulled it viciously through mid-wicket for four.

Jones soon realised that the rookie batsman was not going to be intimidated and, just for good measure, Pyrah helped himself to a couple more crisp boundaries off the England man.

At close of play, Pyrah had made a gallant unbeaten 25 and that was where the game ended because the final day, like the first two, fell victim to a rain-soaked ground.

"I was a touch nervous at first but Jones and his Glamorgan team-mates all had a bit of a mutter that here was a newcomer coming in and it made me more determined than ever. When Jones hit me on the head I said to myself that if he also pitched the next one short I would go for it and that is exactly what happened."

Yorkshire had three Championship matches still to play after their visit to Wales and Pyrah held on to his place, getting into the 30s in each of them and showing what a clean striker of the ball he is. He ended the season with 158 Championship runs for a creditable average of 26.33.

He also wrapped up the totesport League season in style by playing a significant part in Yorkshire Phoenix' three-wicket win over Durham Dynamos at Scarborough by claiming two for 17 in five overs and then making a rapid 42.

Pyrah virtually grew up at Ossett Cricket Club, and turned out regularly for them until he was awarded a scholarship by Yorkshire and invited to play for their Academy side in the Yorkshire League.

After two years with the Academy, he had a season with Cleckheaton in the Bradford League before joining Woodlands, where he still plays when free of Yorkshire commitments.

Now that Pyrah has tasted first-team cricket, he is keen to hold on to his place.

"I know that Craig White and Anthony McGrath will be with us regularly next season and that we will have two overseas players in Phil Jaques and Ian Harvey, but I still think there will be one or two batting spots up for grabs," he said.

"Whoever gets runs early on will probably clinch a place so I will be looking for some big scores as well as taking a few wickets."