Yorkshire signs Jeet Raval as Kane Williamson's replacement for the rest of the County season

English county Yorkshire have signed New Zealand batsman Jeet Raval until the end of the current season. His tenure will include the last four County Championship games beginning with the game against Nottinghamshire on September 4. The 29-year-old batsman will cover for Kane Williamson, his fellow Kiwi player who is also their international captain and Yorkshire’s main overseas player.

Williamson is set to play in the next two Championship games – against Worcestershire and Somerset before his short-term deal concludes. The talented batsman suffered an injury to his left ring finger while fielding at Nottinghamshire a week ago but returned to the team at Northamptonshire on Thursday. The county club will feature another foreign player if Williamson is further injured as the county teams are allowed to field just one player from abroad.

Raval keen to make the most of opportunity

India-born Raval, who has played 11 Tests since 2016 and averages 38.11, is known to be a technically sound batsman. He is eager to make a mark for Yorkshire and said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to get this opportunity. I’ve had a quiet winter until now doing some fitness and indoor training in Auckland, so it is really nice to have this opportunity leading into our (New Zealand’s) series in UAE in October and November. It has worked out really well, and I would love to get out there and make a contribution.”

“I’m a fairly orthodox player. I steady myself to bat for long periods of time, and my role as an opening batsman is to deny the opposition for long periods and set up a good total that we can bowl at,” he was quoted as saying by Yorkshire Post.

Raval was thrilled with the prospect of featuring in his maiden County stint and was also looking forward to speak with his New Zealand teammate Williamson. “I’ve spoken to a lot of guys in New Zealand who have played county cricket in recent years. They have spoken very highly of the standard, especially in Division One, and I will be having a yarn to Kane Williamson to get as much information as I can to ensure that I’m prepared ahead of my first game,” he added.

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s cricket director was delighted to sign Jeet until the end of the season and it seems his name has been recommended by Williamson as he has spoken of him highly.

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