JASON GILLESPIE has revealed the power new Yorkshire signing Travis Head possesses left him fearing for his safety this winter.

Gillespie worked with the county’s new overseas batsman during his spell as Adelaide Strikers coach either side of Christmas, and he has compared the left-hander to former Yorkshire star David Miller.

Head will link up with the White Rose from July 18 at the latest until the end of August, before his availability for the rest of the season is reassessed.

If the county need him to stay, he is likely to do so. But should England availability be favourable, he may return down under.

“He’s a great kid,” said the Yorkshire coach, who presented Head with his T20 international cap in January.

“He’s going to fit in so well here. He’s such a good lad who strikes the ball.

“He reminds me, with how hard he hits the ball, of David Miller. I remember throwing balls at him and being quite scared. It’s the same with Travis.

“He also gives us a genuine spin bowling option. He’s more than a part-timer. He’s potentially a very good 'offie'.

“He’s a young lad who wants to prove himself, which is what you want from an overseas player. You don’t just want an overseas who’s coming over for a bit of a pay cheque and to go through the motions.”

Having lit up the Big Bash this winter, Head has forged a big reputation in Twenty20 cricket, but Yorkshire fans will know little about his four-day game.

The left-hander captains South Australia, and he scored only his second first-class hundred last weekend.

He will stand in for Kane Williamson in Championship cricket when he departs.

“Travis is a pretty aggressive player,” said Gillespie. “He likes to put pressure back on the bowlers, so I think that’s what we will see.

“We will see a good young player who will look to keep the scoring rate ticking over. I think he will fit in perfectly to our four-day team.

“He has a burning desire to play Test cricket, which is fantastic. He got a taste of it in T20 internationals, but he wants more.

“He sees this as a really good way of improving.

“Coming to Yorkshire, a big club like ours, he sees it as a dream come true.

“He couldn’t believe it when I asked if he was interested. He said, ‘Really? You’re kidding me’. He’s beyond excited.

“He knows the history of the place, with Darren Lehmann being one of his idols.”