Vilas hoping move can help Wells dig deep and find form
DANE Vilas believes a new challenge with Lancashire is just what Luke Wells needs to reignite his career.
The 30-year-old batsman has swapped Sussex for the Red Rose after a couple of lean years at Hove.
Wells was prolific in county cricket at the start of his career, but the last few years have been more of a struggle for the left-hander.
Even so, he has 7,779 first-class runs to his name and Lancashire hope his best years are still ahead of him.
“You just look at his record. He averages just under 40, he has plenty of hundreds and runs behind his name and he is still young and still maturing,” said Lancashire captain Vilas ahead of next week’s opening Championship match of the campaign against Sussex.
“Hopefully this move can give him a spark and renew that passion.
“As like a lot of people, he may just need a new challenge. I am looking forward to seeing what he can produce. He has a lot of good qualities.
“Luke will bring in a lot of experience from his time at Sussex. He is a brilliant batsman and will strengthen up that top order. We are hoping he will bring a lot of runs and added leadership in the dressing room.”
Wells has had to sit out Lancashire’s two warm-up matches, including the current one against Derbyshire, as he recovers from a hamstring strain. But fellow new boy Jack Blatherwick was in the wickets, claiming 2-12 as Derbyshire made 244 for the loss of 12 wickets at Emirates Old Trafford, with both sides batting for 90 overs each day. Saqib Mahmood (2-37) and Josh Bohannon (2-24) were also in the wickets.
And, according to Vilas, Blatherwick will be a crucial addition to a seam bowling attack which lost Graham Onions last season and will be without Richard Gleeson for a spell after he suffered a stress reaction in his back last summer.
“It is always exciting bringing in a new fast bowler,” said the Red Rose skipper. “He adds to our stack of bowlers.
“You need as many fast bowlers as you can fit and firing. We have Tom Bailey, who has done extremely well for us in the past; we have Saqib Mahmood, but all these guys will be pushing for higher honours too, so we have to make sure we have the reserves in place if they are unavailable.”
Meanwhile, Lancashire’s County Championship opener against Sussex, which starts on Thursday, April 8, has been switched to Emirates Old Trafford following a recent bug infestation at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove.