Ryan ready to bring experience to Lancs

CHRIS OSTICK RYAN McLaren believes his experience can be crucial for Lancashire next season.

The former South African Test player has signed for the Red Rose as overseas player for the whole of the 2017 campaign.

The 33-year-old all-rounder brings with him a wealth of experience in all three formats, with more than 128 first-class matches, a 190 List A games and 156 T20 appearances in county cricket, South Africa and the Indian Premier League.

And McLaren will this winter add to his armoury by playing in the Pakistan Super League in Dubai in February before teaming up with Lancashire ahead of the new campaign.

McLaren knows all about Lancashire’s promising group of youngsters, having faced them while playing for Hampshire last season. And he believes at this stage of his career, he can play a key role in their development if needed next season.

“You can see there is loads of talent at Lancashire,” McLaren said. “There is experience with people like Steven Croft and Kyle Jarvis in the squad. Then you have loads of youth coming through, guys like Liam Livingstone, who have an exciting future. It is nice to see myself as part of a group like that.

“For me, performance is the most important thing – to make sure I am contributing and helping the side win games.

“But if it means adding a bit of experience to help the younger guys throughout the season then that is great.”