Yorkshire have made another huge statement of intent ahead of the defence of their LV= County Championship title with the re-signing of New Zealand international Kane Williamson for the latter stages of this season.
Having already captured Pakistan batsman Younus Khan plus big-hitting Australia duo Aaron Finchand Glenn Maxwell, the White Rose have now snapped up Williamson for a third time.
The top-order batsman will arrive at Headingley in September after the Black Caps’ limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa and is set to play the final three championship matches of the campaign.
Williamson made a huge impression during his two previous spells with the Tykes.
The 24-year-old, formerly of Gloucestershire, helped Yorkshire finish runners-up in Division One in 2013 with 403 runs at an average of 50.37 in five matches.
He then returned the following season and contributed 629 runs at 57.18 in a nine-game spell as the White Rose secured their first four-day title since 2001.
“I’m delighted to be returning to Yorkshire for my third spell,” said Williamson.
“I have enjoyed my time over the last couple of years and to be given the opportunity to return to the club is great. There is a brilliant culture at Yorkshire and it is a real privilege to be part of it.
“There is a good vibe around the place and you do get a sense we are progressing nicely. The title victory from last season was a major achievement. After speaking to the players, I know they are keen to get off to a positive start and really make a strong defence of the championship.
“Hopefully when I arrive, at the back end of the season, I can contribute to team performances as much as possible and help in our efforts to defend the championship. There is a lot of cricket to be played with New Zealand beforehand, but I look forward to joining Yorkshire soon.”
Williamson, who is likely to come up against Yorkshire team-mates Gary Ballance and Joe Root in New Zealand’s World Cup clash with England on Friday, has become one of the leading batsmen in international cricket over the last 12 months.
As well as producing several impressive limited-overs performances, he struck over 900 Test runs at 61 in 2014.
Williamson completes Yorkshire’s overseas quota for the season and will take over from Finch, who is set to join up with Australia ahead of the Royal London One-Day Series with England, when he arrives in Leeds.
Director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “It is satisfying that we now have full coverage of world-class overseas players for the forthcoming season.
“Re-signing Kane at the back end of the campaign is the final jigsaw in the piece. Kane was eager to come back and we are grateful to New Zealand Cricket for giving him the time to play for us in what will be a busy summer of international cricket.
“He is such a fantastic talent and his presence in the dressing room has been vital in our success over recent times.
“Kane is already regarded as one of the best top-order batsmen in the world and his dominance both domestically and internationally has been the catalyst to Yorkshire’s progression in county cricket and New Zealand’s on the international stage.
“He will join us in the last month of the season. That works well for us as Aaron Finch, who is with us for most of the season, will be joining up with Australia for their one-day series against England at the end of August.”
Great to see the club signing 4 world class overseas players this season. Think our intentions are pretty obvious. #strongunit
— Andrew Gale (@GaleyLad) February 18, 2015