Anthony McGrath believes Will Sutherland’s overseas signing for a mid-season stint at Headingley represents a win-win scenario.

Yorkshire’s new head coach has recruited the highly-rated Australian all-rounder for two Rothesay County Championship matches in June as well as the entirety of the Vitality Blast group stages.

The 25-year-old Victoria and Melbourne Renegades captain will embark upon his first spell of overseas domestic cricket having previously signed for Essex and Somerset without being able to fulfil those commitments due to injury.

Sutherland is dynamic and versatile with both ball and bat; a seamer and middle order batter.

He has two one-day international caps to his name – both last February – but has designs on more appearances at the top level. 

This spell in the Broad Acres, believes McGrath, could be crucial in helping him achieve that. 

Picture by YCCC. Anthony McGrath will be reunited with Will Sutherland this summer having previously worked with him in Melbourne Renegades’ colours.

The former Yorkshire captain said: “Speaking to him, it’s exciting that he’s coming over to be an overseas player for the first time. 

“He’ll want to prove himself to his new team-mates and supporters, all that kind of thing, but also when he does come over I’m sure the Australian selectors will have an eye on him ahead of the Ashes and what he does against English players in our conditions. 

“I’m sure he’ll be wanting to push on because he wants to reach the top. He’s still only 25 and has a lot of exciting times in front of him.

“It’s big for us but big for him in terms of the bigger picture.”

McGrath knows Sutherland from a previous winter stint when he worked as part of the Melbourne Renegades coaching staff. 

“I saw his potential and signed him for the next year at Essex (for 2023). But he had his injury problems,” continued the coach. “Thankfully, he’s back now and is playing all forms.

Will Sutherland

Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.  Victoria captain Will Sutherland is Yorkshire’s first overseas signing for 2025.

“He’s the modern day cricketer in terms of being athletic and being able to do everything – and across the formats.

“In red and white ball, he’s very adaptable. He bowls in different phases and bats in the middle order. In red ball, he can bat five, six or seven. In white ball, he’s very powerful towards the back end.”

Nicknamed Chief – owing much to his father James’s previous role as the CEO of Cricket Australia – Will’s younger sister Annabel is a regular Australia women’s international and played for the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred last year.

Will is closing in on 150 senior appearances across all formats. He has first-class bests of 6-67 and 100 to his name as well as T20 bests of 3-14 and 70 under his belt. 

“We’re really, really pleased to have got Will,” said McGrath. 

“It’s getting harder and harder to get overseas players in for any length of time, particularly real quality ones. You’re seeing that even in six-week franchise competitions, players are coming in and out. 

Will Sutherland

Picture by Steve Bell/Getty Images. Anthony McGrath is confident Will Sutherland’s overseas spell at Headingley can benefit both the player and county.

“So to get Will for the time we have is exciting for the group and for the club. He’s still a young cricketer. He’s improving, and I think he’ll be a really strong addition for us.”

A significant added bonus for Yorkshire is that Sutherland captains both Victoria and the Renegades, and he will be able to add valuable experience to his new county’s squad. 

“I always look at character first, and the leadership side is a big thing,” said McGrath. “You want the performance element from your overseas player, of course, but you always want that role-model type. 

“Because we’ve got a youngish group, what he can bring from captaining Victoria and the Renegades, I’m sure it will really add to us. Hopefully he’ll be involved in terms of helping players off the pitch as well he will on it.”

Sutherland will arrive at Headingley in late May. Yorkshire’s opening Vitality Blast game is against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at home on Friday May 30. 

His final appearance is scheduled to be the final North Group game against Leicestershire Foxes at Grace Road on Friday July 18.

Picture by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images. Will’s younger sister Annabel – directly to the right of number 57, Hollie Armitage, played for the Northern Superchargers last summer.

He also plays late June Championship matches against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and Essex at York’s Clifton Park. 

However, McGrath has not yet ruled out being able to call upon his services for any potential Blast quarter-final or Finals Day appearances in September.

“I’m not sure yet,” he added. “You know what it’s like with scheduling. 

“I think there’s an Aussie A tour at some point, potentially the Hundred if he was picked up in that, the Australian domestic season usually starts in late September as well.

“We’ve agreed that period at the moment, but of course we will be looking to extend it if we can.

“At the moment, we can’t get any guarantees on that. We’ll be in communication with Will whilst he’s here and Victoria and Australia if it comes to that.”

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