Two-year Red Rose deal for Prince

ASHWELL PRINCE has rejoined Lancashire County Cricket Club for a fourth spell at Emirates Old Trafford.

The 35-year-old left-hander has penned a two-year deal subject to successful visa and registration applications, and will be available for all three competitions as the Red Rose aim to bounce back to Division One of the LV= County Championship and win silverware in the Yorkshire Bank 40 and the Friends Life t20 competitions.

“I’m delighted to announce that I will be returning to Lancashire for the next two seasons,” said Prince.

“I was part of the team that went down last season and I want to be part of the team that is going to fight our way back to where we belong. I look forward to joining up with the squad soon.”

The South African was first recruited by Lancashire in 2009 as cover for India’s VVS Laxman, and averaged 62 from five first-class appearances.

He returned for a spell at the start of the following summer and was awarded his county cap.

In 2012 he was available for the entire season and hit more than 1,000 runs at an average of just under 44 in first-class cricket.

Head coach Peter Moores said: “Ashwell’s commitment to Lancashire has always been strong and his return is a real boost to the whole squad. His experience will be invaluable to me as a coach and he will help to accelerate the development of some of our most talented home grown players.”

Prince’s return follows the capture of Australian Test star Simon Katich as overseas player, and the close season arrivals of Kabir Ali and Wayne White to the Lancashire squad.