Cricket

Lancashire Cricket Club has secured the services of Australian all-rounder Chris Green for the next two seasons of the Vitality T20 Blast. Green, 31, played a pivotal role in Lancashire's successful Blast campaign this summer, emerging as their leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps. His contributions helped the club qualify for the knockout stages, although he was unavailable for their quarter-final defeat due to prior commitments in the Caribbean Premier League.Green's contract includes the option to participate in the County Championship and One-Day Cup, subject to availability. In 2024, he made six appearances in the One-Day Cup, scoring his maiden century, and one in the Championship for Lancashire.Expressing his excitement about returning to Lancashire, Green said, "I absolutely loved my first year with the club and I am even more excited to be coming back for the next two seasons. It is a really special group of players at Lancashire. I know that there are big things to come, and I am looking forward to playing my part in that during 2025 and 2026."Lancashire's director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, hailed Green's impact on the team. "Chris made a huge impact for us on the field and had a number of options and offers to play around the world, but we are delighted that he has committed to being here at Emirates Old Trafford," Chilton said. "Not only did Chris' performances with bat and ball stand out this season, but he also really impressed us with his leadership and his personality had a huge influence on the dressing room."Meanwhile, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has re-signed South African top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the first half of the 2025 summer. Breetzke will be available for Northants' first eight games in the County Championship, as well as the whole of the Blast group stage.Breetzke, 25, was Northants' leading run-scorer in the 2024 Blast, amassing 460 runs at a strike rate of 153.84. His contributions helped the club reach the quarter-finals."I'm delighted to sign with Northamptonshire for the 2025 season," Breetzke said. "I really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I think the team has a lot of potential to push for promotion as well as go a few steps further in the Blast and win it. I'm looking forward to helping the team and hopefully achieving many more victories along the way."

Lancashire County Cricket Club has secured the services of Irish all-rounder George Dockrell for the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast T20 competition. This move comes as Australian offspinner Chris Green, Lancashire's leading wicket-taker in the tournament, will be unavailable due to his commitments with the Caribbean Premier League.ECB regulations stipulate that overseas players must participate in at least one group-stage match to be eligible for the knockout rounds. This rule was implemented after Essex's controversial signing of Dwayne Bravo solely for Finals Day in 2010.The Blast's schedule has been disrupted this season due to the T20 World Cup in June and the Hundred's summer break. As a result, there is a significant gap between the group stage and the quarter-finals, leaving counties scrambling to secure overseas players available in mid-September.Lancashire has found a solution by adding Dockrell to their squad for their final two group games against Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The move ensures that Dockrell meets the eligibility criteria for the knockout stages."We are delighted to welcome George to our squad for the remainder of the Vitality Blast," said Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein. "With the potential for knockout matches in September and uncertainty around player availability, George provides us with another overseas option for the latter stages."Dockrell, who has transitioned into a batting allrounder, expressed his excitement about joining Lancashire. "We are in a strong position in the North Group, with two important home games remaining as we look to secure a home quarter-final at Emirates Old Trafford in September," he said.Green, who has taken 13 wickets in the Blast this season, will depart after the group stage to play for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the CPL. He could potentially return for Finals Day on September 14 if his schedule permits.New Zealand batter Tom Bruce has been Lancashire's other overseas player in the Blast. After a slow start, he regained form with an unbeaten 50 against Worcestershire.Lancashire's acquisition of Dockrell strengthens their squad as they aim to secure a home quarter-final and make a deep run in the Vitality Blast.

Lancashire Lightning's dominance in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a comfortable 57-run victory over Derbyshire Falcons at Emirates Old Trafford. The Lightning's total of 179 for 7 proved too much for the Falcons, who were restricted to 122 all out.Lancashire's innings got off to a flying start, with Josh Bohannon and Luke Wells putting on 42 runs in the first four overs. However, the Falcons fought back, dismissing Wells and Bohannon in quick succession. Keaton Jennings and Luke Wood also departed cheaply, leaving Lancashire on 50 for 4.Tom Bruce and Matthew Hurst steadied the ship with a 39-run partnership, but Chappell's dismissal of Bruce for 35 halted their progress. Hurst and Steven Croft also fell in quick succession, leaving Lancashire on 121 for 7.Chris Green's late cameo of 22 off 11 balls, including two sixes in the final over, boosted Lancashire's total to 179. Chappell was the pick of the Falcons' bowlers, taking 3 for 38, while Brown and Patel also chipped in with wickets.Derbyshire's reply began poorly, with Luis Reece and David Lloyd dismissed cheaply. Despite scoring 48 runs in the powerplay, the Falcons lost Patel and Harry Came in quick succession.Anuj Dal and Ross Whiteley attempted to rebuild the innings, but Wells' leg-spin proved too much for them. Brooke Guest's resistance ended when he was caught by Jennings, and Green wrapped up the victory with the wickets of Chappell and Dupavillon.Green's all-round performance, with 4 for 12 and 22 runs, was crucial in Lancashire's victory. The Lightning now have two wins from three matches, while Derbyshire remain winless after three games.