David Willey is determined to demonstrate his Test credentials at Yorkshire, and force those tempted to 'pigeon-hole' him as a limited-overs specialist to think again.
The 26-year-old all-rounder describes his move from Northamptonshire to Headingley as a "no-brainer" - and although he was left out of the back-to-back county champions' first match of the new season, he insists he is there to prove himself in Division One cricket.
Willey has arrived after a breakthrough white-ball winter for England, and at the Big Bash, most recently with 10 wickets in six matches en route to the ICC World Twenty20 final.
He is a highly valuable addition to Yorkshire's bid to add 50 and 20-over silverware to their consecutive championship trophies.
As the son of former England Test batsman Peter, though, Willey grew up dreaming of following in his father's footsteps - and that ambition has not dimmed.
"If people pigeon-hole me, so be it," he said.
"I think it's becoming well known that to play Test cricket, you need to be playing and performing in Division One.
"I hope, when I get the opportunity, I can perform and put my name in the hat.
"That's one of the reasons I've moved here - to play Division One red-ball cricket."
Willey was not tempted therefore - this year at least - by the Indian Premier League.
Instead, he wants to extend his portfolio elsewhere - as a new weapon in Yorkshire's renowned attack alongside Ryan Sidebottom, Liam Plunkett, Tim Bresnan and his former Northants team-mate Jack Brooks.
"If you go to the IPL and are in the England one-day set-up, you end up only being available for a handful of championship games - which defeats the object of me moving here," he added.
"Test cricket is the pinnacle still. I've always wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps and play Test cricket."
White-ball success with his native county, including a starring role in the team which won the Twenty20 title in 2013, has given him profile in the shorter formats.
"I think if you're in a successful team, you're going to get recognised in that format," he said.
"I can understand that, and I've got a long way to go in championship cricket to maybe get Test recognition - which I'm aware of.
"But I hope this is a stepping stone to doing that."
Willey's absence from the team which opened Yorkshire's campaign with a draw at home to Hampshire is immediate confirmation he has signed up to a new life up north.
"You play at smaller counties - you are wheeled out at times to play every game of the season, which is difficult as a bowler," he said.
"Here, I'm going to have to push to get a game. But then also, there will be opportunities for me to rest as well.
"I hope that means that when I do play my four-day cricket, I'm fresh and can bowl to my potential.
"It's definitely a big year for me in four-day cricket, and I hope I can push for a third County Championship in a row here - and also my Test ambitions."
Willey has enhanced his reputation by defeating top-order batsmen with new-ball swing.
"When I open the bowling in one-day cricket, I like to take wickets," he said.
"I think I was England's leading wicket-taker (at the World Twenty20), and that's a platform for me to build on."
At Yorkshire, he also hopes to bat prominently in Twenty20 - as he did so well at Northants - rather than fitting in down the order, as with England.
"I'd like to think I'll open the batting," he said. "I've been quite successful opening the batting down at Northants, so I'd like to put my name in the hat to do that here as well."
Willey did not have to think twice, once he knew Yorkshire were interested, the presence of highly-experienced fellow left-armer Sidebottom another compelling factor.
"It was a no-brainer . working with the quality of the staff here and playing alongside some great players, and learning off Sidebottom as well," he continued.
"He has been successful in all forms, so if I can just pick his brains about one-day cricket and four-day cricket I hope I can improve and play in his wings - and in the future lead the attack as he has done.
"It's got everything, the full package for me (and the chance to) win some silverware."
There is occasionally a certain menace about Willey both on and off the field.
It is not a demeanour he deliberately cultivates, but one he does not denounce either.
"I think the majority of cricketers play in an aggressive manner," he said.
"I probably get too close to the line at times, but I guess that's my competitive edge coming through.
"I play cricket to win. Anything I compete in, I want to win - whether that be on a cricket field, or a board game ."
That will doubtless go for Test matches too - if he can make it happen.
Source: PA
