YORKSHIRE youngster Matthew Waite is targeting a regular berth in the county's limited-overs teams next year after impressing in two big games in 2016.

All-rounder Waite was last month named as the county's young player of the pear, following in the footsteps of now seasoned internationals Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid in winning that particular award.

Waite, who turns 21 on Christmas Eve, performed well in both the quarter-final of the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London Cup semi-final in August.

He struck 19 not out and took 1-6 in the T20 win over Glamorgan at Cardiff, before claiming 3-48 and hitting 38 in the one-day defeat against Surrey at Headingley.

"Playing in those games has given me belief that I can do it," said Leeds-born Waite, one of the great characters in the Yorkshire squad.

"I had a taste of it the year before and played two big games this year. They were massive experiences with the crowd and the games in terms of what they were, a quarter-final and a semi-final.

"I didn't get off to the best of starts this year with bat and ball, so to work my way into the first team by the end of the year was quite pleasing.

"Next year, it's about performing well in the second team and then hopefully securing my spot in the white-ball team. Further down the line, I want to secure my spot in the red-ball team and be a consistent first-team player."

Waite has benefited from having a lot of all-rounder experience within the Yorkshire set-up in terms of the likes of Tim Bresnan and Rich Pyrah.

He has also praised the coaching set-up for their part in his development, most notably director of cricket development Ian Dews.

Waite said: "Ian Dews has been brilliant. He has helped me through this year when I've struggled. I can't say enough about him.

"Brez (Bresnan) helps me massively, while Ryan Sidebottom and Jack Brooks have played quite a bit of second-team cricket this year being injured. They have also helped.

"It's definitely been a case of gradual progression for me. Getting older, getting better, learning more, taking advice on board from coaches and senior players, it all comes together."

To achieve his goal of more regular first-team cricket, Waite will have to impress the new coach at Headingley through this winter. Yorkshire have advertised for Jason Gillespie's replacement, with the closing date for applications being on Friday.

England assistant Paul Farbrace had already ruled himself out before application, while another of Yorkshire's former second-team coaches – Richard Dawson, currently head coach at Gloucestershire – is not thought to be in the running either.