The Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) is delighted to announce the signing of exciting all-rounder Donovan Ferreira, who has three stings to his bow, for the 2024 Vitality Blast.
The 25-year-old from Pretoria, who keeps wicket, bowls and bats, is at the forefront of a fresh wave of talent surging through South African cricket, and he recently smashed the second fastest fifty in the two-year history of their SAT20 competition.
Powerful Ferreira smashed a remarkable 18-ball half-century for the Joburg Super Kings against the Pretoria Capitals last month, helping them secure their first win of a campaign which unfortunately ended at the semi-final stage.
He finished with 56 off 20 balls with seven fours and three sixes, batting at number six.
Pictured, Donovan Ferreira of the Proteas during the 3rd KFC T20 International match between South Africa and India at DP World Wanderers Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Yorkshire has signed an imposing international who can do it all. He bats and keeps wicket, which he has done for the Johannesburg side in the SAT20, while he has also taken 42 wickets across all formats bowling off-spin.
“I am delighted to have signed with Yorkshire CCC for the T20 Blast,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to joining up with Yorkshire at Headingley, and having an impact for the side.
“Headingley is an iconic and special place to play, and I’m excited to be part of such a prestigious club.”
Ferreira has played 51 career T20 matches to date, with four fifties to his name, including a best of 82 not out.
Two of those appearances have come for South Africa; at home against Australia and India during the second half of 2023. He hit a notable 48 off 21 balls from the lower middle order on debut against Australia at Durban last September.
Ferreira will be a part of the Rajasthan Royals squad in this year’s Indian Premier League. Team-mates of his will include former Viking Tom Kohler-Cadmore and England limited overs captain Jos Buttler.
Ferreira debuted in T20 cricket in early 2018 for the Northern side in his homeland and has also played for the Barbados Royals.
He has also had a taste of T10 cricket with the likes of Chennai Braves and Harare Hurricanes.
Darren Gough, Yorkshire’s Managing Director of Cricket, said: “I’m pleased to have secured Donovan for the T20 Blast.
“He is an exciting addition to the team, and his all-round abilities and consistent performances in various international franchise leagues are indicators that he has a significant career ahead in cricket.
“We hope he will play a big part in Yorkshire’s T20 campaign, and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Headingley.”
Ferreira will be available for the first 2024 Vitality Blast fixture when the Vikings face Worcestershire Rapids at Headingley on Thursday 30 May.
Yorkshire Vikings 2024 T20 Blast campaign
Yorkshire Vikings will begin their Blast campaign with three games in an exciting four-day period, including taking part in the ECB’s extended Vitality Blast Off.
The Vikings face Worcestershire Rapids at Headingley on Thursday 30 May before travelling to the Uptonsteel County Ground, Grace Road to tackle Leicestershire Foxes 24 hours later.
Then, on Sunday 2 June, they travel down the M1 alongside the Northern Diamonds for a Blast Off double header at Wantage Road. Yorkshire face the Northamptonshire Steelbacks and the Diamonds face Sunrisers in the extended Charlotte Edwards Cup, which has increased from seven to 10 group fixtures alongside a Finals Day for which four teams will qualify instead of three.
There will be two T20 double headers at Headingley.
The first is on Sunday 9 June, as Diamonds take on The Blaze before Yorkshire host Derbyshire Falcons. The next takes place a week later – Sunday 16 – when Diamonds host Western Storm before the Vikings take on Leicestershire Foxes.
The Vitality Blast North Group concludes with a home match against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Headingley on Friday 19 July. Quarter-Finals will be held on 3-6 September, before Finals Day takes place at Edgbaston on Saturday 14 September.
