The County Championship always attracts a few big-name overseas players and 2018 is no different, with a large number of India players in particular making use of the domestic circuit in preparation for their tour of England. Most might not be able to stick around for the entire season, but their contributions can make a big difference.
Here are five of the shrewdest signings and most exciting players to look out for this campaign.
Aiden Markram & Tom Latham (Durham)
Durham have struggled through well-documented financial troubles in recent years, but if their overseas signings are anything to go by, this year could be different.
Aiden Markram is the most exciting young batsman in world cricket at the moment. The only quibble for Durham fans is that he is only available for the first four Division Two games, against Kent, Leicestershire, Northants and Derbyshire. The 23-year-old has scored 1,000 runs in 10 Test matches and averages 55.55, with four centuries to his name already.
The duo will share the overseas responsibilities for the county, with Pujara leaving to play India’s Test against Afghanistan in Bangalore from June 14. Williamson will arrive in July for four County Championship matches. Their presence, along with Joe Root, means Yorkshire have three of the top seven-ranked Test batsmen in the world available this season.
Pujara, the maker of 14 Test centuries, has experienced county cricket before with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire as well as Yorkshire and has already been given the nickname of “Steve” by Jack Brooks. Williamson, with 18 hundreds in Tests, turned out for Yorkshire last season and is bound to make runs this time too.
Others to look out for:
Hashim Amla & Dale Steyn (Hampshire)
Matt Henry (Kent)
Mohammad Abbas (Leicestershire)
Hilton Cartwright (Middlesex)
Ross Taylor (Nottinghamshire)
