Anthony McGrath has described Yorkshire’s overseas signing of New Zealand fast-bowling star Will O’Rourke as a “real coup for us”.
McGrath has recruited O’Rourke for the first eight Vitality Blast group matches from late May and through June, with the possibility for the 23-year-old’s stay at Headingley to be extended.
The Kiwis are pencilled in to tour Zimbabwe through July, but there is no certainty about those plans, meaning the towering Surrey-born quick could remain in Leeds for longer.
O’Rourke’s commitments in T20 cricket for Yorkshire are secured, but it would not be a surprise to see him line up at some stage in the Rothesay County Championship as well – maybe even alongside his fellow overseas Will, the Australian all-rounder Sutherland. The pair will definitely play together in the Blast.
“It’s subject to his workloads and commitments,” said McGrath, of O’Rourke’s schedule.
“He’s had quite a big year.
Picture by YCCC. New coach Anthony McGrath is excited by the capture of New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke for the first half of this summer’s Vitality Blast.
“We’d love to have him for every single game, but there’s not many overseas players who come in for the full year or even a long period of time nowadays.
“You’ve got to make a call on getting real quality for a shorter period.
“We’ve been trying to negotiate the length of time for a while now, and we think it’s very worthwhile to get him for the period we have.
“If the possibility opens up, of course we’ll extend it.
“At the moment, this is the best we can get, and we’re delighted that Will’s decided to come.”
O’Rourke is currently preparing for New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan.
Picture by Joe Allison/Getty Images. Will O’Rourke is heading back to the nation of his birth this summer.
Since debuting for his country in December 2023, he has played 19 times across all formats and has taken an impressive 48 wickets, including two Test five-fors.
He has had success both at home and abroad in Test Cricket, including dismissing Yorkshire batters Harry Brook and Joe Root twice apiece before Christmas.
O’Rourke has taken 36 wickets from 36 career T20 appearances, including a best of 4-23.
Fingers crossed, he makes it third time lucky with Yorkshire having been part of two near misses with New Zealand state side Canterbury in T20, including in Sunday’s Super Smash final against Central Districts.
“I think it’s a very exciting signing for everyone at the club,” continued McGrath.
“We’ve seen what he’s done in recent times. He’s been a bit of an unknown but has gone onto the international stage and taken it by storm, really.
Picture by Hannah Peters/Getty Images. Will O’Rourke bowls against England in the Test series in New Zealand before Christmas. Harry Brook (pictured) and Joe Root were opponents.
“He bowls quickly, but he’s a bit unusual with his action in terms of the angle.
“Speaking to Rooty and Brooky, they found it a challenge facing him in that Test series.
“He’s someone who has raw pace, which we’re probably missing within the squad.
“Like all fast, fast bowlers, they are protected a little bit. So to get him for a period of time is exciting. And hopefully we can start to develop a relationship with him.
“Hopefully he enjoys his cricket here, playing at Headingley, and we can keep that relationship going forwards.
“We’ve got someone who takes wickets and bowls fast, and our members and supporters will enjoy watching him.
Picture by Steve Bell/Getty Images. Will Sutherland was Yorkshire’s first overseas signing for 2025, and the Australian has been joined by Will O’Rourke.
“Looking at that series England have over there and the one New Zealand had in India, he was fantastic in both. He’s shown that he’s someone who can bowl in all conditions, and he’s only going to get better.”
The former Yorkshire captain added: “You love – certainly I do, anyway – watching out and out fast bowlers, who are not as regular now in county cricket.
“In the eighties and nineties, they were quite frequent across all of the competitions.
“I think it’s a real coup for us.”
