INDIA BATSMAN HEADING TO LANCASHIRE FOR 50-OVER COMP

CRICKET: Lancashire have signed India batsman Shreyas Iyer for the 2021 Royal London Cup.

The 26-year-old, who has played 21 one-day internationals and 29 T20 matches for India, will arrive at Old Trafford in July and remain for the group stage of the 50-over competition. Iyer played all five of India’s T20 internationals against England this month and is in the squad for the upcoming ODI series between the two sides. He captained Delhi Capitals as they reached the final of the Indian Premier League last year.

Iyer said: “Lancashire is a legendary name in English cricket with a long-standing association with Indian Cricket. I am extremely humbled and honoured to carry the legacy forward of greats like Farokh Engineer, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman at Lancashire.”

WORCESTERSHIRE have announced the signing of West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for the early part of the 2021 season. The 24-year-old, who has played 14 Tests and 34 oneday internationals, will be available for seven matches in the County Championship after he links up with the county next month.

With fitness doubts over Josh Tongue and Pat Brown, Joseph’s arrival will bolster the county’s seam bowling options. It will be his first spell in the English game. Joseph said: “I am thrilled to be joining Worcestershire for the early part of the summer. When I heard the club was interested in me, I had no hesitation in saying yes.”

LEICESTERSHIRE are set to explore what is appealing about cricket in the county as they aim to make the club a safe space for everyone, no matter the background, sexual orientation, faith, race or other characteristic.

The county announced they have linked up with the Cricket Supporters’ Association and plan to ask people in the region what they think about cricket in an initiative that is part of their equality, diversity and inclusion work.

An enterprise titled the ‘BIG Cricket Survey’ is set to hone in on all aspects of the game to create a better understanding of where the sport sits across the 56 nationalities within Leicestershire. “Leicestershire CCC is a club for everyone, and we are committed to improving our engagement with residents,” said the club’s chief executive officer Sean Jarvis.