Williamson thrilled to be headed to Yorkshire

Cricket365
January 31, 2018

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is delighted to be able to spend a spell playing in the County Championship for Yorkshire.

Williamson will play four County Championship matches and feature as one of the club’s two overseas professionals for eleven matches in the Natwest T20 Blast.

The Black Caps captain told YorkshireCCC.com: “I’m really looking forward to coming back.

“It’s been a year or so before the opportunity came about to return, but it’s somewhere where I enjoy playing cricket. They’re a great bunch of lads and a great club to be a part of.

“I really enjoy being around the guys, the staff, the club in general. The supporters are brilliant too.

“Some of the Roses clashes and the Scarborough games are particularly nice to be a part of. I think we have one of each when I’m there.

“Also the cricket in England in those conditions means you learn so much about your own game. There’s a number of factors that come into it for me.”

Williamson was part of the Yorkshire squad that won the 2014 County Championship and admits following the teams progress during a difficult campaign in 2017 that saw the team finish fourth.

He went on: “I followed them closely from afar, and the Championship looked a pretty tight race.

“They ended up fourth, although they weren’t satisfied with how they went.

“As years go by, teams change slightly. That happens to all teams, and it’s a challenge to try and maintain performance. But they still showed good signs last year.

“There were definite improvements in their white ball development.

“It’s exciting times, and there’s some exciting young talent coming through who are getting more and more opportunities.

“When Yorkshire play their best cricket, they are right up there with the best counties in the country.”

Williamson is looking forward to working with Yorkshire’s new coach Andrew Gale who was the skipper when last he turned out for the county.

He said: “I played a bit with Galey under his captaincy, and it was something I enjoyed. I’m looking forward to seeing what he offers as a coach. I’m sure he will be great.”