The house that Jacques built

I met a South African on Saturday night who told me about his reasons to come and live in the UK. Lack of work opportunities were the main reason before we touched on quotas in rugby and then tequila.

It seems Jacques Rudolph is doing the same. The talented 26-year-old has just signed a Beckham-esque contract with Yorkshire (last week mind, but there were no blogs). He wants to represent England, look for a house next year and probably run the Dales with Hoggie at some point. Rudolph's quotes upon signing must also rate as the longest:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season with Yorkshire , both on and off the pitch. Everything about the Club is professional, supportive and focussed on getting results. The infrastructure and administration is first-rate and it has allowed me to concentrate all of my efforts on playing and enjoying my cricket, which has been very important to me. The quality of coaches, players and facilities is superb and there are exciting times ahead. I’m really pleased to have signed the new contract and look forward to seeing the Yorkshire lads again in March next year for pre-season training. We can then concentrate on winning some matches and trophies for Yorkshire . In the mean-time I am focussed on playing for Eagles in South Africa where we are looking to build on a winning start to the domestic season over here.”

Dizzy gets into bed for PR

"I need my sleep after a hard days bowling and on this bed I get it." I always love reading sportsmen's one-liners when they front a PR campaign. The latest one to catch the Nutley's eye is Australia and Yorkshire's Jason Gillespie who has gone right up there with Ian Botham's Shredded Wheat quotes to support a leading bed company. Below this wonderful PR photo is an equally amusing press release in full.It's official! Active people would rather sleep in a Sealy bed than any other bed brand.Research conducted by the world's leading bed manufacturer found that the type of people that buy its products are more likely to be the type of person that leaps out of bed every morning than the type that lies in 'til noon.

The research categorised consumers according to how they viewed sleep. The categories included The Science of Sleepers, Functional Sleep Lovers, Premium Bed Lovers, Affordable Style Seekers, Uber Premium Comfort and No Nonsense.

Most of Sealy's customers fall into the Science of Sleep category, includingYorkshire County Cricketer and Australian Test Cricketer, Jason Gillespie, who recently took delivery of a Sealy Mirrorform bed and commented: "I need my sleep after a hard days bowling and on this bed I get it."

What's in a name

"My name is Younus Khan. I tell people that everywhere, but they don’t listen."

So said Pakistani batsman Younus, or to most people Younis, before he confirmed to Yorkshire by text message that this was how he would like to be written. Presumably this was ammended before the Tykes printed their squad shirts for the season, so ending a minor 'King of Spain' saga.

And the club may yet have to print more shirts for the club shop. A few who were present at the Rose Bowl last week for the Hampshire v Yorkshire game believe Younus's knock was the best they had seen.