Opening batsman Joe Sayers has explained the reasoning behind the Yorkshire squad’s decision to pay a portion of the costs for the club’s forthcoming pre-season tour of Barbados.

The White Rose county head out to the Caribbean on Sunday for just under two weeks to step up their preparations ahead of the English domestic campaign, which begins next month.

It will be the fourth year running they have been overseas to hone their skills, and the second year on the spin they have been to Barbados.

They face three days of cricket against county opposition in the form of a two-day Twenty20 tournament involving Warwickshire, Essex, Derbyshire, Hampshire and a Barbados XI before facing Warwickshire in a 40-over match.

Director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon will also oversee intra-squad matches lasting two days and then 40 overs.

Despite the Headingley club having made redundancies and recently announced losses of £2 million, they see a trip such as this as vital to their future on the field.

Moxon even described last year’s trip to Barbados as “the catalyst” to the impressive performances in four-day and one-day cricket last summer.

And Sayers said: “We see it as an investment in our season, an investment in our careers, an investment in the club.

“It’s been well documented that the club is going through a difficult time financially – and, as a collective, the players feel this is a very good statement to make.

“It’s a sign we’re all pulling together with the aim of doing what’s best for the club in the short, medium and long term. Hopefully it will be very valuable for us in terms of our preparations for the summer ahead.”

Aside from the six players currently on England duty, namely Ajmal Shahzad, Tim Bresnan, captain Andrew Gale, Adil Rashid, Jonny Bairstow and Adam Lyth, a full squad is expected to travel.

Even though Gale, Rashid, Bairstow and Lyth are with the England Lions in the Caribbean, they will not link up with their county.

Batsman Anthony McGrath will also board the plane, but he will not play any matches following last week’s arthroscopy operation to mend a torn cartilage in his left knee.

Sayers will, however, see match action after eight months on the sidelines with post viral fatigue syndrome.

Meanwhile, members of the Yorkshire squad will be at Headingley between 9am and 5pm on Saturday for the opening of the new All Rounder Cricket Store.

Visitors could win a one on one coaching session with Andrew Gale. For details visit the website www.allroundercricket.co.uk