Experience Is Key For Moxon In Late Title Push

AS Keshav Maharaj played the last of his five successful Championship matches for Yorkshire this week against Somerset at Taunton, his replacement, New Zealand’s slow left armer, Ajaz Patel, flew in and began practising in preparation for his debut tomorrow against Kent at Headingley.

- Guy Williams

Patel, 30, who has taken 22 wickets in seven Tests for New Zealand, including 5-89 against Sri Lanka at Galle last month, has been signed for Yorkshire’s last two Championship games – Kent and then at Edgbaston against Warwickshire the following week.

Given Yorkshire’s rich history of producing great spinners, it seems surprising, to say the least, they felt the need not only to recruit one overseas spinner, and then another as well – but for two games only.

Yorkshire have been quick to defend their policy in the face of accusations they should be providing much needed four-day cricket for their own contracted spinners. Easier said than done.