Anthony McGrath has spoken of his delight at capturing two exciting fast bowlers who are heading to Yorkshire to try and help the county make a flying start in this summer’s Rothesay County Championship.
Head coach McGrath has signed Australian quick Jordan Buckingham for a four-game stint in Division One through May. The Australia A star is currently chasing a trophy double Down Under, with South Australia champions of the one-day Dean Jones Trophy and chasing success in the four-day Sheffield Shield.
That signing was announced by Yorkshire last week.
Yesterday, the club also revealed that New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been recruited for the majority of the first two months of the season. The plan is for the Test and limited overs international to miss the opening Division One game against Hampshire next month because of commitments with the BlackCaps, but he would then be available for the next six.
It means Yorkshire have now signed four overseas players to see them through until the end of July.
Australian all-rounder Will Sutherland is due to play in the entirety of the Vitality Blast group stage and two Championship matches in late June and early July against Nottinghamshire and Essex, while New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke will play in at least the first eight Blast group matches from late May to late June.
Picture by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images. Ben Sears was signed by Yorkshire yesterday for an April and May stint in the Rothesay County Championship.
On the latest signings, starting with the most recent in Sears, McGrath said: “We’ve been looking for a real point of difference, and Ben gives us that with his pace.
“He’s been clocked up at 90mph and bowls high 80s consistently.
“He was unlucky with the injury he got just before the Champions Trophy because I think he’d have played a big part for New Zealand.
“It was just a little hamstring niggle. I think he was fine, but given the short nature of the tournament they didn’t want to take any risks. He will be back fit for their Pakistan white ball series at home in New Zealand, which starts this weekend.”
Sears, 27, has played 20 times across all formats for New Zealand, including one Test against Australia at Christchurch this time last year. He claimed five wickets in a defeat, including a second-innings 4-90. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were amongst his victims.
“To get him for that first block of games is a big coup for the club because I know he’s very highly-rated,” continued McGrath.
Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images. South Australia quick Jordan Buckingham could arrive at Yorkshire in May having won both the Dean Jones Trophy and the Sheffield Shield.
“As I say, he will give us that point of difference. He can bowl short spells and be aggressive and give batters a different challenge rather than just be top of off-stump all of the time.
“I see him play a big, big part for us.
“With the bowlers we’ve got, add Jordan and Ben to that in the early season, we should have real good competition for places.
And it allows us to rotate as well and make sure all our bowlers are fresh. Looking from afar, that’s something Yorkshire probably haven’t had for a while. Hopefully we’ve covered that base.”
Soon-to-be 25-year-old Buckingham claimed 4-40 in the second innings of an Australia A victory over England Lions at Sydney in late January/early February.
He is closing in on 100 first-class career wickets, but it is Sheffield Shield silverware he will be most bothered about.
Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images. Victoria and Melbourne Renegades captain Will Sutherland will play for Yorkshire in both the Vitality Blast and the Rothesay County Championship.
South Australia have already confirmed their place in the late March final courtesy of winning six of their nine regular-season matches. They have one more to play, starting this weekend.
“Jordan is highly-rated in Australia from the conversations I’ve had there,” said McGrath. “I’ve been watching him this winter in the Sheffield Shield, and you can see that he has a high ceiling and is improving all the time.
“He is an aggressive bowler with good skills.
“I think he’ll complement our attack and give us something a little bit different.
“His visa only allows him to come for four games. It is a short stint. He’s not played enough Big Bash games or internationals to allow us to have him for any longer.
“I know he’s on Australia’s radar, and it’s a hugely exciting signing. Hopefully he can make a big impact for us.”
Picture by Joe Allison/Getty Images. English-born New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke is coming to Headingley this May.
When Yorkshire announced the signing last week, the first comment on the club’s Instagram account was from former coach Jason Gillespie, who also worked with Buckingham during his time in charge of South Australia. Dizzy simply said: “Awesome.”
But did he play any part in the signing?
“He didn’t,” continued McGrath. “But he has messaged me since about Jordan, and he’s really, really excited about his progression.”
Getting to where Yorkshire have done with their overseas signings – covering off almost the first four months of the season – has not been a straightforwards task given the jam-packed schedule right across the world nowadays. McGrath, however, is delighted with the business done.
Currently in Abu Dhabi on his squad’s pre-season tour, he added: “You never know with what happens, but as things stand now we’re probably done. We might look at later in the season dependent on where we’re at. But for the early part of the season, we’re done and happy with the squad that we’ve got.
“If you look at the trend through county cricket, you’re seeing a lot more short-term signings. It is more expensive logistically with all of the flights and accommodation, and moving in and out. In an ideal world, you would want an overseas for longer. But this is where it’s at, and you have to move with the times and just try and get the best quality you can do. And I’m sure we’ve done that.”
