Picture by John Heald. Logan van Beek in the nets at Cardiff yesterday.
Logan van Beek is ready and raring to go for Yorkshire, the Dutch international all-rounder hoping to continue what has been a special start to his year.
Van Beek has just started life with his fourth English county following spells at Derbyshire, Worcestershire and Leicestershire. He won promotion with the latter as Division Two champions last year.
The 35-year-old has recently played for his country at the T20 World Cup before welcoming his first child, Velika, into the world.
Van Beek is here for the opening eight matches in this season’s Rothesay County Championship, though he is open to extending his stay at Headingley should things go well.
The New Zealand-born – and based – star was speaking as the rain fell during today’s scheduled opening day of the 2026 summer, at Cardiff, where the White Rose county are facing newly-promoted Glamorgan.
“Although it wasn’t a successful one for us in terms of getting into the top eight, and securing that spot at the next World Cup, it was my sixth time going to a T20 World Cup, which I’m very proud of,” he said.
“And playing cricket in India is something that you’ve got to do at least once in your career as a cricketer.”
Van Beek says he arrives at Yorkshire “fully fit and firing”, with him just eight wickets away from 300 in his first-class career.
Picture by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images. Logan van Beek has just been with the Netherlands at the T20 World Cup.
“It’s been a funny season back in Wellington,” he said. “I came back from Leicester, which was a successful season – a very enjoyable season – and was ready to go with Wellington. But first game of the season, I got a yorker from a seamer which broke my left big toe and put me out for eight weeks.
“I then managed to get back for the Super Smash, enjoyed that and was straight off to the World Cup. Then, I came back and had my first child two weeks ago. So I played one out of the last four four-day games.
“I just really wanted to enjoy that time with my wife and having a new addition in the family. It was such a special time before coming to Yorkshire.
“But I was eager to get here and get back into the routines and life as a cricketer.
“Seeing the squad that we’ve got, the excitement that the squad’s got for the upcoming season, I just want to come in and contribute to wins and have a really enjoyable time.”
Van Beek has described his and his wife’s introduction to parenthood as “kind of easy”.
“My wife (she is Bulgarian) has taken to motherhood like a duck to water, we had a natural birth, and Velika is feeding and sleeping. We’re very lucky,” he said.
“They’ll be here in a couple of weeks and we can enjoy the Yorkshire style of life.”
Picture by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images. Logan van Beek won promotion with Leicestershire last summer.
Having been located in the Midlands through the entirety of his county career, which started in 2019, van Beek now gets to experience something different.
“When this opportunity came up with Yorkshire, I was really excited,” he continued. “Test ground, the history of Yorkshire, some of the players that I get to play with over the next few weeks.
“Even the facilities it’s something I’ve never experienced in 16 years of playing first-class cricket. So just to get this opportunity to be at such a historic club is something I’m very grateful and excited for.
“It’s something that I’m proud of myself for, keeping my body fit and healthy and trying to get better to be able to produce these opportunities.
“Seven years ago, when I played for Derbyshire in 2019, I left that season thinking I may not play another year of county cricket or another game of county cricket.
“Now, to be able to have Yorkshire on my heart and wearing the cap is something that didn’t seem possible seven years ago. But I’m very happy I’m here today.”
Earlier today, the club announced the early-season availability of Harry Brook and Joe Root ahead of the England internationals beginning.
Picture by John Heald. Is Logan van Beek pointing the way to the Championship title?
And van Beek is relishing the prospect to play alongside them having previously been in opposition.
He has already got to know another international star in Jonny Bairstow over the last few days.
He added: “Jonny, he’s such a character. And 100 Tests, it’s an amazing feat. For him to sign a three-year deal here, it shows he’s still eager to play.
“He loves Yorkshire. He wants to win another Championship. Feeding off that energy, it’s amazing.
“I’ve played against Joe at the U19 World Cup, and I got him out bowled between his legs at the World Cup in 2023, which went viral.
“I’ve played against him a few times but haven’t spent time with him. I look forward to doing that.
“And Harry Brook is such a talent.
“I actually remember bowling to him in a Blast game in 2021. He hit me over mid-wicket and then back over my head off not bad balls, and I’ve gone, ‘Who is this guy?’
Picture by Stu Forster/Getty Images. Joe Root and Harry Brook are set to feature for Yorkshire soon.
“He’s done so much in the last four or five years since that day.
“I’m just looking forward to them both coming in and trying to contribute to winning games.
“That’s the part. We’re here to win games. We’re here to win the Championship.”