David Willey is hoping Yorkshire have found their T20 mojo just in the nick of time.

The England limited overs all-rounder, a new signing for 2016, admitted that he quickly sensed a hesitancy within the squad when it came to 20-over cricket.

Yorkshire only won one of their first six North Group games and found themselves languishing at the foot of the table.

But while their quarter-final hopes still hang by a thread with three matches remaining, starting against Durham at Headingley tomorrow, things have improved markedly with three wins from their last four.

Willey hailed the positivity showed by Adam Lyth at the top of the order as a key factor in the improvement.

“When I first arrived, there was a bit of unknown about how we should go about things,” he said. “It seemed like we didn’t really have a formula or plan.

“We talked at length after the first few games and have come out with a positive attitude, stemming a bit from the way Lythy has played. He gave the rest of the dressing room lots of belief.

“It was only the other day that I said in the dressing room ‘the contrast in our attitude and belief to where we were in the first few games is completely different’.

“We are getting a formula together that works.

“That is shown in results. We are starting to get across the line in some tight games like Lancashire and Birmingham.”

Willey missed Friday’s defeat at Notts due to illness, a result which means Yorkshire are likely to have to win their remaining three matches to finish in the top four.

Tomorrow will be the first time he has played alongside Australian overseas batsman Travis Head, who made an impressive start with 40 against Notts.

Willey knows all about his fellow left-hander having played against him for the Perth Scorchers during the most recent Big Bash League in Australia either side of Christmas.

“When we played against Adelaide, I think Travis took me down,” he admitted. “I bowled four overs for 54, and I was certainly on the wrong end of it.

“He’s a really talented and dangerous player who hits the ball miles, and the more guys like that you’ve got in your team, the better.”

It has not been the smoothest of starts to Willey’s career at Yorkshire from a personal point of view.

He missed nearly a month through May with an abdominal injury, has been away with England and has yet to really return a performance of great note.

But there have been encouraging signs that his Championship bowling is heading in the right direction, most recently with three wickets in the first innings against Surrey at the Oval last week.

“I’m still bowling a few too many loose deliveries. That’s been the case with my Championship cricket through the majority of my career, which is frustrating,” he added.

“It’s something I’m trying to iron out, and hopefully one day I’ll get there.

“As long as I’m taking wickets, that’s the main thing.

“I think I’m improving in general. I did a bit of work with Ryan Sidebottom before the game I got injured, Surrey at home, and that was good.

“The more I can tap into his knowledge and experience the better.”