Yorkshire’s lack of a convincing frontline Championship spinner has led them to sign South Africa’s slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj on a short-term deal.
The signing is further indication that Josh Poysden, the former England Lions legspinner, who joined Yorkshire from Warwickshire with the hope of winning a role in all formats, remains regarded primarily as a limited-overs specialist. Poysden’s last Championship match was against Nottinghamshire last September.
Maharaj’s arrival for only three Championship games, starting with the match with Surrey at Scarborough on Sunday, follows a brief flirtation on loan with the Somerset offspinner Dom Bess.
Yorkshire were impressed enough with Bess’ form during his month on loan that they were interested in extending the deal but Somerset understandably demurred. To loan Bess to a fellow Division One county to assist his development had been enlightened enough for a short period and they did not want to put their Championship challenge at any further risk.
Yorkshire’s director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, said: “We’re trying to work out the balance of the team with a red-ball spinner. Dom Bess has done well for us, coming in to bat at No. 8 in the Championship team. So with that in mind Keshav is someone who was available, an international spinner, and it was felt that in the short term it would be advantageous to bring him in for the few games.”
Maharaj, who played the first of his 25 Tests in November 2016, has taken 427 first-class wickets at an average of 27.44. He had a brief spell with Lancashire last season, playing three times in the Championship.
He goes straight into Yorkshire’s squad to face Surrey in the Specsavers County Championship fixture at Scarborough. But the most intriguing match-up will take place the following week when he goes head to head with Division One’s joint leading wicket-taker, Simon Harmer, on what is expected to be another turning pitch at Chelmsford.
“Coming out of a pre-season, it’s a bit of a stepping stone to my domestic season and it will be nice to get a few overs under my belt,” Maharaj said. “Aside from the cricket you learn a lot about yourself. You’re sort of a stranger in a different place. You have to learn to take more responsibility and find a way to get through things. It adds to your character.”
Gloucestershire have meanwhile re-signed Andrew Tye for their Vitality Blast campaign. It will be Tye’s third spell with Gloucestershire, following seasons in 2016 and 2018. Tye arrived with the reputation as one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket, but in terms of wickets his record is a modest one with only 31 wickets in 25 matches.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo