By Graham Hardcastle
Mathew Pillans will add a different dimension to Yorkshire’s bowling attack, according to the club’s assistant and bowling coach Rich Pyrah.
The tall paceman, 27, has signed a three-year contract to join from Surrey this winter.
A Pretorian by birth, Pillans is in the midst of a seven-year qualification period to play for England, ending aged 31.
Yorkshire have allowed England limited overs fast bowler Liam Plunkett to move in the opposite direction to the Oval.
Pillans has taken 129 wickets in 40 first-class matches, but he has found red ball opportunities limited with Surrey. He has, however, played nine Vitality Blast matches this season.
“Losing Liam, it means Mat is a bit different to what we’ve already got with that extra pace,” said Pyrah. “He kind of fills that role.
“He’s a bit of x-factor, bowling at 90mph consistently. He just gives us another option.
“At Yorkshire, we’ve got a lot of skilled bowlers, which you need at Headingley. But away from home, and in white ball cricket, we do need that extra pace.
“He’s not played a great deal of cricket, but fast bowlers have to have time to develop and get their body strong enough to do it for long periods.
“I think he’s at that stage now where he’s ready to play regular cricket.”
