Returning Faulkner: ‘I didn’t want to play anywhere but Lancs’

JAMES Faulkner admits he didn’t want to play anywhere else this summer ahead of his return to Lancashire.

The Australian all-rounder has signed a two-year deal to play in the T20 Blast for Lightning, having helped the county to their first silverware in the format during his previous spell in 2015.

Lancashire signed him last season, but he was pulled out of the deal by Cricket Australia after suffering a knee injury. And now Faulkner, 27, just can’t wait to return to Emirates Old Trafford.

“I’m really excited to be coming back to Lancs,” said Faulkner, who is still managing his knee problem by restricting the amount of four-day cricket he is playing. “I had an absolute ball when I was there in 2015. It was topped off by us playing some good four-day cricket – we finished second in Division Two and went up – and won the T20 Blast.

“That was a really great memory, and it was done with a great group of blokes. That was one of the main draw cards for me coming back.

“I obviously signed for last year and got pulled out, which was disappointing, and a lot’s changed since I was last there.

“Glen Chapple is running the ship now instead of Ashley Giles, but I’m sure it will be pretty similar. I know I’ll be playing the same role as I played last time and, hopefully, we can win it again. It’s good to be back.”

And Faulkner admits he wasn’t interested in playing cricket anywhere else in England.

“I didn’t want to play anywhere else because I had so much fun,” he told the club’s website.

“Why go somewhere else where maybe you’re a bit unsure of your role and your position and you have to start fresh?

“I’m really excited to be there for two years before the new rules come out with the city cricket.

“I wanted to show my commitment that I wasn’t just going to be there for a year and go somewhere else.

“I’ve definitely followed Lancashire’s scores since I left,” added Faulkner, who is playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash and is in the IPL auction this weekend. “The team have had their challenges over the last couple of years, but that’s T20 cricket – it’s a rollercoaster.” Meanwhile, Lancashire have announced that new signing Keaton Jennings’ squad number will be No.1 and fellow newbie Graham Onion will wear 99.

The club have also arranged a three-day friendly against Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium starting on April 5.