Struggling Yorkshire fast-track Pillans in to ease their mounting injury crisis

NEW signing Mathew Pillans could make his Yorkshire debut on Wednesday after the club drafted him in early due to an injury crisis.
Yorkshire's Martyn Moxon has brought in Mathew Pillans ahead of schedule.Yorkshire's Martyn Moxon has brought in Mathew Pillans ahead of schedule.
Yorkshire's Martyn Moxon has brought in Mathew Pillans ahead of schedule.

The South African pace bowler had been due to link up with Yorkshire at the end of the season after signing a three-year contract earlier this week.

But injuries to four frontline bowlers has prompted Yorkshire to bring him in on loan for the rest of the summer, meaning that he could make his debut in the County Championship match against Somerset at Emerald Headingley, starting next Wednesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Club captain Steve Patterson is missing with a broken finger, sustained during the Vitality Blast match against Lancashire at Headingley on August 9, while opening bowler Ben Coad has not played since the Championship Roses encounter at Old Trafford at the end of July due to a side strain.

Although Yorkshire hope that Patterson and Coad will be back before the end of the season, they also have doubts over Jack Brooks (stiff back) and Tim Bresnan (general aches and pains/fatigue) going into a crucial phase of their four-day campaign.

Yorkshire slipped to third-bottom of the First Division after last week’s innings defeat to Worcestershire at Scarborough, just one place and five points above the relegation zone.

They face a second-placed Somerset side who are the only realistic challengers to leaders Surrey, whom they trail by 32 points after picking up five victories and three draws in their nine matches so far.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After next week’s game, Yorkshire face third-placed Notts at Trent Bridge before home matches against fellow strugglers Hampshire and Lancashire.

They conclude their season with the return fixture against Worcestershire at New Road from September 24-27.