KANE Williamson is backing fellow New Zealander Jeet Raval to make a success of his short-term stay as Yorkshire's overseas player.

Opening batsman Raval has signed on at Emerald Headingley for the last four Specsavers County Championship matches of the season.

The left-hander replaces Williamson, his Test match captain, after this week's clash with Somerset at Headingley, starting on Wednesday.

This will be Indian-born Raval's first taste of county cricket, although he comes with a decent amount of experience under his belt.

The Auckland batsman has 91 first-class appearances to his name, including 11 Tests, and has scored just over 6,000 runs.

Raval, 29, has been acclimatising to English conditions for the last 10 days and trained with the first-team squad during last week's defeat to Worcestershire at Scarborough.

He will play in a second XI three-day match against Somerset at Taunton from Tuesday.

"Jeet's a very good opener, our Test opener," said Williamson, who played his part in the signing.

"This is a very good opportunity for him to play in these conditions for such a big club.

"I know him well, and Yorkshire were looking for someone for the latter end of the competition, so I was only too happy to pass on my thoughts.

"He's a very technically correct player, who lines the ball up well, and that's particularly important over here given the moving ball.

"Like I say, I'm sure it will be a great experience for him over here. The lads will also really enjoy having him around. He's a great guy."

Raval will debut against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge from next Tuesday and then also play in matches against Lancashire, Hampshire and Worcestershire.

It may only be a short-term spell in the context of the English summer, but four games is the equivalent of half a Plunket Shield campaign in New Zealand.

Since debuting in Test cricket in 2016, Raval has scored 648 runs, with six fifties and a top score of 88.

"It's a newish experience, but with his technique and patience, I certainly hope he does, and expect him to do, a really good job at the top of the order," said Williamson.

"It's a great opportunity for both parties.

"It's certainly good for him and us in New Zealand that he's getting this chance as well as Yorkshire knowing they have a quality batsman coming in.

"To play county cricket is a great opportunity for anybody.

"I personally always appreciate the chance to come here and learn.

"He's really looking forward to it. One of the main parts of an overseas player is fitting into the group, and he'll certainly do that. He's a terrific fella."

Williamson returns home after this week's clash with Somerset in order to rest up ahead of New Zealand's forthcoming international commitments.

It will be his third Championship appearance, and Yorkshire could do with him building on last week's scores of 87 and 61 against Worcester.

They currently sit third bottom in the Division One table, just five points clear of second-from-bottom Worcester.

Both sides have five matches to play and meet each other in the final round of fixtures next month at New Road.

Fast bowler Mat Pillans is in contention for his debut, having arrived on loan from Surrey for the remainder of the season. He will then join permanently on a three-year contract.

Somerset are second, 32 points behind leaders Surrey.