YORK Cricket Club's spin king Dan Broadbent has given credit to the whole team for his prolific wicket-taking this season.

Broadbent has already claimed 47 victims in the 2005 Yorkshire League at an average of 12.25 runs and could complete a half-century of wickets in just 15 matches at neighbours Scarborough tomorrow.

But the modest former Yorkshire youth player, who is also playing for Leicestershire seconds this season, believes the club and his team-mates should share the acclaim.

He said: "It's only my third season at the club so I am a relative youngster in the Yorkshire League so to have any sort of impact at a team like York is good for me. I'd play just as a fielder in this team as we have such a good side and the atmosphere is great at the moment. Last year I only took 34 wickets but I dislocated my knee and had my leg in a pot for six weeks.

"This year, you always look at 50 wickets as a benchmark for the season so it will be pleasing if I get there as soon as possible but it's the amount of bowling I have been given that has made it possible. The leading wicket-taker could be anyone at the club as all the bowlers have played well - some have just had a bit more luck.

"As a team, our fielding has also been fantastic and probably the best in the League. I need that back-up as a spinner and all my wickets should really belong to all the team."

Broadbent also emphasised York's desire to not only defend last year's championship victory but to do so in style.

Marcus Wood's men currently lie 15 points clear of nearest rivals Harrogate and the former Lady Lumley's and Ryedale School pupil is hoping that gap can grow during the second half of the season.

He said: "Winning the league was fantastic and we have a chance to do it again but would like to do it in style. Last year we felt our performances against the other top five teams could have gone up ten or 20 per cent and, against the likes of Doncaster, Harrogate and Cleethorpes this season, we have done that.

"We have all come together with some brilliant individual performances that have contributed to excellent team displays."

Broadbent's finest personal contribution was his 8-49 haul against Sheffield United at the start of the month but he has also underlined his ability with the bat this season.

Promoted to opening the innings, the former England Under-19 international has averaged 33.8 and struck six 50s with a highest score of 72.

He has also forged a fine opening partnership with Australian import Michael Sheedy.

"With Steve Piercy going to Australia, there was a space at the top of the order and I jumped at the chance to fill it even though I'm relatively inexperienced," Broadbent said. "I have been pretty pleased with how it's gone and playing with Michael has given me a lot of confidence.

"Our partnership has built up quite well and a lot of our batting this season has been based on good partnerships. We have had several over the 150 mark."

Broadbent is also benefiting from bowling tips provided by England one-day international Jeremy Snape at Leicestershire.

Snape and South African Test player Claude Henderson currently fulfil spin duties at Grace Road but Broadbent, who is playing for the second team on a match-by-match basis and has best figures of 3-35, is still hoping to make the grade in first-class cricket.

Combining playing duties at York and Leicestershire with working for Malton cricket bat maker and his sponsor Nicky Nixon, might mean a busy schedule for Broadbent. But he feels it is a worthwhile one should he reach his intended goal, saying: "I've travelled around playing full-time cricket for five years now and have got used to it.

"It's a small sacrifice to make with the potential career that could come at the end of it. I aspire to play professional cricket and to get a contract at any county would be wonderful."

Updated: 11:15 Friday, July 15, 2005