91Èȱ¬

Yorkshire opener Phil Jaques wants his team-mates to "put pride back in the cap" by gaining promotion from Division Two of the County Championship.

The 32-year-old Australian joined up with the Tykes this week ahead of the clash with Essex at Headingley.

"The fans don't want to hang about in this division and neither do the players," he told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Leeds.

"We want to be in Division One and do all that we can do to get the results that put some pride back into the cap."

He added: "There's a responsibility on everyone's shoulders, we're all accountable, and personally I know that coming from outside there is added pressure but that's something I thrive on."

Yorkshire were relegated from the first division for the first time since 2002 last season.

Having started the new season with a draw against Kent, Jaques is sure that the squad have recovered from that disappointment.

"I don't think anyone is feeling sorry for themselves, there's a real upbeat mood around the camp," he continued.

"Everyone's determined to just do their job and be as successful as we can.

"Getting relegated has taken some wind from the players' sails and there's pride at stake now."

Jaques returned to England from Australia on Monday but has been keeping up with the side's progress from afar.

"I've been watching with interest over the internet and I've kept in touch with Martyn Moxon and Jason Gillespie about how things have been going.

"We had a good start with the pre-season tour in Barbados and the draw with Kent wasn't a bad result.

"The boys look really sharp and I can't wait to get started," he concluded.