The Yorkshire County Cricket Club can confirm that the terms of Kane Williamson’s agreement to represent the Club for a fourth time have been amended.
Due to the New Zealand captain’s heavy workload in the Indian Premier League and, having recently taken over the captaincy of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cricket New Zealand have reduced Williamson’s availability for his summer stint with the White Rose.
The Tauranga-born 27-year-old will now play nine Vitality Blast matches, starting at Emirates Old Trafford against Roses rivals Lancashire on July 20 and three Specsavers County Championship fixtures – the last being against Somerset at Emerald Headingley Stadium on August 29. He was initially inked in to play 11 Vitality Blast matches and four Specsavers County Championship fixtures throughout July and August.
The Club’s Director of Cricket, Martyn Moxon, said: “Obviously the Club are disappointed by the reduced amount of cricket Kane will be available for, but he will still play a significant amount for us and we look forward to welcoming a player of his calibre back in due course.
“When Kane originally signed for us and New Zealand Cricket accepted the dates, it was thought that he wouldn’t play every game in IPL and that he wouldn’t be captain. But, with David Warner getting banned, he became captain of Sunrisers and has consequently played every game, so New Zealand Cricket want him to have more of a rest.
“We’re frustrated, obviously, and counties are having to deal with this sort of thing all the time.”
