STEVE PATTERSON wants to see the trio of overseas players Yorkshire originally employed to play in 2019 return to the club in the future, writes Graham Hardcastle.

Ravi Ashwin, Keshav Maharaj and Nicholas Pooran all had their respective summer contracts mutually cancelled as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Club captain Patterson has echoed director of cricket Martyn Moxon’s desire to re-engage the trio at some point in the future.

“I heard about the decision, and I agree with it. It’s the right call,” said Patterson, currently on furlough leave from club duties.

“It would have been great to have had these guys with us, but overseas players cost a lot of money and all clubs are going to be in a position where we’ve got a lot less money than planned when we do start playing again.

“To be in a situation like this which is unprecedented, you have to take as much risk away from yourself as possible.

“We still have a large group of players who get more of an opportunity to shine, which might be important for them contractually as well.

“The way the club have done it, it’s been the right way and means these lads have the opportunity to come back in the future.”