Maharaj bid to keep Lancs up
LANCASHIRE have drafted in South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj for their relegation-fight finale.
The 28-year-old signed in time for the final four County Championship games, starting with today’s Southport clash with Worcestershire.
The Red Rose county are bottom of Division One and finish with games at Somerset, Yorkshire and then Hampshire. Left-armer Maharaj has 90 wickets at 27.65 from his 22 Tests, including nine in an innings against Sri Lanka in July.
“Having played in England with South Africa, it has been an ambition of mine to return,” he said.
Seamer Jack Brooks is the latest man to leave Yorkshire. The 34-year-old will move to Somerset on a threeyear deal next season.
Opener Alex Lees has already gone to Durham and England fast bowler Liam Plunkett, is to join Surrey.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia have urged Al Jazeera to back up their controversial corruption claims with evidence.
The TV station are planning to produce a follow-up to May’s documentary that made a number of spot-fixing allegations. The latest offering is set to involve claims against current and former Australia internationals relating to matches from 2011.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit have conducted a review of the latest claims by Al Jazeera, from a known criminal source and, from the limited information provided by Al Jazeera, our team have not identified any issues of corruption relating to current or former Australian players.”