Lancashire Secure Double Swoop As Big Names Head to Old Trafford

Lancashire have today announced the completion of their long-awaited overseas player for the 2010 season.

Ashwell Prince, the South African batsman, is currently filling the void that was meant to be taken by Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakarra. When Sri Lanka added dates to their busy schedule Sangakarra's availability went and so did Lancashire's options.

Peter Moores and Mike Watkinson announced that Simon Katich and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will don the Red Rose for the season.

Katch, 35, will play in the Friends Provedent T20 tournament for the first half of the season and also the big Rose's match at Old Trafford before the arrival of Chanderpaul who will play for the rest of the season.

Katich said about joining the Red Rose county, "I’m really excited to be going to a big club like Lancashire and am looking forward to the opportunity it presents."

Chanderpaul, who will join in July when Lancashire play Durham said, "I was very excited when Lancashire approached me with this opportunity."

“After having such a great association with Durham, I feel ready for a fresh challenge at Old Trafford. I look forward to joining the squad in July and contributing to the team's success."

Peter Moore's, Lancashire's coach was joyous in saying, "While it was disappointing to learn that Kumar wasn’t coming, it is fantastic that we have been able to secure the services of two world-class left-handed batsmen to keep the continuity within the side once Ashwell Prince departs.”

Mike Watkinson, Head of Cricket at Lancashire also mentioned, "Kumar was due to join up with the club after the completion of the World Twenty20 next month, but the prospect of the Asia Cup and Sri Lanka’s potential programme meant that option would be no longer possible."

“The news meant we had to look elsewhere, and we are very pleased to have signed two world-class players in Simon and Shivnarine.”