Overseas rule change boost for Vilas

LANCASHIRE will be able to field two overseas players in all three competitions next season.

And that is a major boost for captain Dane Vilas, who was due to see his Kolpak deal finish at the end of this year once Brexit was complete.

Lancashire were prepared to bring the South African back as an overseas player, however, that would have restricted their options for next season.

Now, they can add a second in the County Championship and the 50- over competition, as well as the Vitality Blast which already allows two overseas players.

Lancashire were due to have New Zealand’s BJ Watling and Australia duo

Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner as overseas players this season but cancelled their contracts at the start of the pandemic.

The decision to allow two overseas players operates in direct contrast to a recent suggestion by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who advocated a temporary halt to all overseas deals in a bid to save the game money in the aftermath of Covid-19.

The move was recommended by the performance cricket committee, chaired by Sir Andrew Strauss, who said: “There is an important balance to be struck to ensure the need for good foreign players in county cricket and providing opportunity for nine England-qualified players in each county team.

“There are clearly long-established benefits for our domestic players to compete against and learn from the best players from across the world in addition to providing high-quality domestic cricket for county members and fans to enjoy.”