Another Import

By Gary Watton
April 2 2015

Okay so April Fool's Day was yesterday, but I just couldn't resist it. Che Pujara, not Che Guevara, has signed a short-term contract to play for Yorkshire CCC until such time as the dynamic Aaron Finch has ended his IPL obligations, some time at the end of May.  

Just as I had named Younus Ahmed the other day as Yorkshire's overseas recruit for the early weeks of the new season, Mr Ahmed has since decided to make himself available to play for his native Pakistan. This is perfectly understandable, but having assured Yorkshire CCC that he was committing himself to them, then Ahmed's about-turn was received with some consternation by the champions, as they were then obliged to hastily find a replacement.

Cheteshwar Pujara of India has subsequently been summoned to fill the void. His first-class credentials are excellent, and he may prove to be an inspired signing, albeit a temporary one. The question is: did Martyn Moxon have Pujara earmarked as a possible replacement, a Plan B, if Ahmed became unavailable, or was it a case of anxiously thumbing his way through a directory of available overseas players? I suspect the latter. Nevertheless, young Pujara could prove to be a far better choice than the ageing Ahmed. Let us hope that Pujara will reveal himself a better contributor to the cause of Yorkshire CCC than most of his illustrious Asian predecessors were. Bon chance, monsieur.