Ben Coad has revealed how the frightening pace of Yorkshire’s new fast bowler Mat Pillans has forced him to take precautionary steps in the Emerald Headingley nets this winter.
Coad has been impressed with what he has seen from his fellow quick, a late summer recruit from Surrey last year on a long-term deal.
Pillans debuted in a Championship match at Notts in early September and is in the midst of his first full pre-season as a White Rose player.
“He’s frighteningly quick,” said Coad. “And I’ve already made a pact with him that he can’t bounce me in the nets!
“He’s still quite raw even though he’s in his late 20s age wise, but there’s a lot of talent there, and he will scare a few people when he bowls.”
Pretoria-born Pillans, 27-years-old, has played 41 first-class matches since debuting in his native South Africa in 2012, adding 12 List A and 34 Twenty20 appearances to his statistics. He has taken 180 wickets across all three formats.
“He hasn’t played much red ball cricket of late, with opportunities limited at Surrey. He has played a lot more of white ball stuff,” said Coad.
“Next season, I think he will be a very good bowler for us.
“In the 50 overs, he will take on Liam Plunkett’s role, bowling through the middle and trying to get wickets with that extra pace which can unsettle batsmen when there’s nothing happening in the pitch.
“I haven’t seen a great deal of him, but he has some great skills. Anyone who can bowl 90mph plus is going to be a massive player in your squad.”
???? There's quick, and then there's
matwilpil</a> ???? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneRose?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneRose</a> <a href="https://t.co/s4R3ipb1pX">pic.twitter.com/s4R3ipb1pX</a></p>— Yorkshire CCC (YorkshireCCC) February 8, 2019
