Lancs secure Buttler’s services

LANCASHIRE’S director of cricket, Paul Allott, has confirmed Jos Buttler has put pen to paper on a new deal at the club

He said: “There was plenty of rumour and speculation as to whether Jos was going to go somewhere else, maybe back to Somerset or maybe to one of the London clubs.

“So we’re absolutely delighted he’s decided to stay here for three years. Initially, we were talking about two, but we’ve managed to talk him round to three.

“He’s one of the world’s leading players in white and red ball cricket.

“It also means, as an England contracted player, he will be one of those playing in the Hundred here at Emirates Old Trafford next summer.”

An expert bowling display and some brief Jos Buttler-esque fireworks from Liam Livingstone led unbeaten Lancashire to a thumping 21-run win on DuckworthLewis-Stern over Vitality Blast champions Worcestershire at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday.

Livingstone said: “It’s very nice to have started the way we have. It’s not something we’ve done really well before.

“We’ve always seemed to start slowly and catch up at the back end, scraping our way into the quarterfinals. So it’s been a great start, and the boys are playing some good cricket.

“If you look around our dressing room, we’ve got plenty of match winners, and the boys are stepping up at the right time.

“Knowing our ground well is something we pride ourselves on. All in all, it was a decent bowling performance.”

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