Picture by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images. Logan van Beek bowls for the Netherlands in yesterday’s T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan in Colombo. He struck once in a defeat.
Adding experience to Yorkshire’s men’s squad was a conscious effort, says general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton, who is very happy with where things stand recruitment wise ahead of the 2026 summer.
The signings of five players, both domestic and overseas, have been confirmed across the last month; Moeen Ali, Naveen-ul-Haq, AJ Tye, Logan van Beek and Sam Whiteman.
“We were craving experience,” said former all-rounder Hamilton.
“We have been craving seamers, mostly, having lost the likes of Jordan Thompson and Matt Milnes, and what we’ve got so far we’re really happy with.
“We’re one away.”
All-rounder Moeen and Australian seamer Tye have both some domestic qualified Blast only contracts, the latter holding a British passport. Aussie top order batter Whiteman is also a domestic signing having been born in Doncaster.
Afghanistan quick Naveen will fill one of two overseas slots in the Blast, while Dutch international all-rounder van Beek has been signed to be available for the first eight Rothesay County Championship matches and any Vitality Blast matches during that period.
“We’ve got some brilliant youngsters in our squad, and to have these five coming in – with the quality and experience they have – covers all bases.
Picture by YCCC. Overseas Vitality Blast signing Naveen-ul-Haq visited Headingley recently.
“We’ve held back this winter and put a lot of thought into it.
“These lads can play, and they’re there to be leading from the front.”
Look at the trio of Blast specific signings first of all – Moeen, Naveen and Tye – Hamilton said: “Myself and Mags have made it very clear that we know in the Blast we’re not there yet. In T20 cricket, we’re nowhere near where we want to be. Something had to give.
“We can’t just keep doing the same things and hope for different results.
“Hopefully, with the signings we’ve made, we’ll start to make some noise in that area now.
“Both Mo and AJ still have real desire to be successful.
“That was the first part of the conversations we had, ‘Look, what are your ambitions here?’
“Mo has admitted that he’s probably in the last two or three years of his playing career, and he wants to win as much as he possibly can. There’s a statement in itself that he’s coming to Yorkshire. He really believes in where we’re going.
Picture by Gareth Copley/Getty Images. Moeen Ali will play for Yorkshire in this summer’s Vitality Blast.
“AJ’s the same. ‘I want to finish strong, and I want to finish in a side that’s not only competing but winning stuff’.
“They’re both going to be all in.
“Naveen was a no-brainer for us. We’ve watched him over the last year or so.
“He’s somebody who can get you those early wickets, and you can also throw the ball to him in the last couple of overs. His track record of international and sort of franchise T20 cricket is outstanding.
“We’re delighted with that. He’s a fantastic lad who has been up here already with us this winter.
“He’s not at the T20 World Cup because of a shoulder problem he has. I think there was something reported around him needing surgery, but that’s not true.
“He’s in and out of the country. He has family over here. That means we’re able to have a hand in his rehab, and we’re in weekly contact with him.”
Whiteman and van Beek are two players who have been signed on multi-format deals.
Picture by Kelly Defina/Getty Images. AJ Tye, like Moeen Ali, is on a Blast only contract with Yorkshire in 2026.
“Logan has played a lot of county cricket before, and he gets it,” said Hamilton.
“He’s coming in warm from New Zealand domestic cricket and the World Cup with the Netherlands.
“There’s a longevity about his signing. He isn’t just coming in for three or four games. He’s coming in for the first block of eight Championship matches and to be around the squad for the Blast as well.
“To get him, with his quality – as I say – we’re delighted.
“He has a background which makes him hardened to first-class cricket. As soon as we knew he was available, he fits perfectly for what we need in terms of replacing what we’ve lost.
“We’re now start to build that depth, and we’re getting into a position where we can rotate our bowlers, manage them the best way possible and not worry about availability for the next game and things like that.
“So, pending this next week or so, we should be fully covered in the red-ball area.”
Western Australia captain Whiteman is coming in to play all formats for the next three years, and he brings a history of winning 10 domestic titles with him.
Picture by Dylan Burns/Getty Images. Sam Whiteman, the Western Australia captain, is coming to Headingley.
“This is a huge signing for us,” added Hamilton. “They’re few and far between these kind of opportunities.
“As soon as we knew his availability, and with his Yorkshire ties, it was a relatively easy conversation.
“He’s been in and around one of the best domestic set-ups in world cricket with WA and the (Perth) Scorchers. That can only add massive value to us.
“He’s very flexible and versatile when it comes to slotting into the top order. He’s openly said to us, ‘I’ll find a place and make it work’.
“If we need him to keep wicket, he’s more than willing to do the odd game.
“He’s pure quality, and this was one that we didn’t want to miss.
“Sam’s 33 and soon to be 34. He’s at a great age.
“If you were to ask any director of cricket or coach, what kind of age would you like of somebody to come in and play first-class cricket for you, it would be his. He’s still probably at his fittest, and he’s bringing everything to the table at the right time for us.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton.
