‘Missing cog’ Keshav Maharaj may return for Yorkshire CCC in 2020

YORKSHIRE are considering re-signing the South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as an overseas player next summer.
MISSING COG: Yorkshire's Keshav Maharaj celebrates the wicket of Nottinghamshire's Joe Clarke at Scarborough. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comMISSING COG: Yorkshire's Keshav Maharaj celebrates the wicket of Nottinghamshire's Joe Clarke at Scarborough. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
MISSING COG: Yorkshire's Keshav Maharaj celebrates the wicket of Nottinghamshire's Joe Clarke at Scarborough. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Maharaj delivered another match-winning performance as Yorkshire beat Nottinghamshire by 143 runs in the County Championship at Scarborough.

The 29-year-old captured 6-95 as the visitors were dismissed for 243 in pursuit of 387 for victory.

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Maharaj has now taken 28 wickets in four Championship games for Yorkshire at an average of 19.39; he has also chipped in with 235 runs – the majority of them stylishly and speedily compiled – at 33.57.

Yorkshire CCC coach Andrew Gale. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comYorkshire CCC coach Andrew Gale. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Yorkshire CCC coach Andrew Gale. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Andrew Gale, the Yorkshire first team coach, said: “Kesh has had a huge impact, massive.

“When you’ve got a world-class spinner like that, it makes such a big difference.

“We’ve already chatted about it (re-signing him). The only problem is he’s getting married in May, so he wouldn’t be available for then. I think South Africa have then got a Test series in June, against the West Indies.

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“But we’d love to have him back because he’s a match-winner. Since Rash (Adil Rashid) has left from playing in this format, that’s been the missing cog really, a front-line spinner.”

Gale was delighted with Yorkshire’s second successive Championship win, which kept them third in the table behind Essex and Somerset.

They recovered well after being 38-5 on the first day, with all five wickets to left-arm pace bowler Luke Wood, before a century stand between Jonny Tattersall and Tim Bresnan turned the match around.

“Luke Wood probably bowled one of the best spells he’s bowled in his career,” said Gale.

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“But the partnership between Bres and Tatts was the biggest difference in the game. They showed a lot of character and skill and, from that point, we really drove the game.”

Gale added: “We’re playing some really good cricket in this format.

“There’s still lots of areas we can improve, but we’re not looking down, we’re looking up.”