NZ’s keeper BJ is signed up for Lancs early season
NEW Zealand international star BJ Watling will join Lancashire Cricket Club for the first part of the 2020 Specsavers County Championship season.
Watling has signed an overseas contract for the first nine games of the First-Class season, starting against Kent at Emirates Old Trafford in April and finishing at Northamptonshire in July.
The 34-year-old is the Blackcaps’ highest-scoring wicketkeeper in Test history and starred in the recent Test series against England, scoring a career-best 205 in the first match.
He recently passed the 3,500-run mark in Test cricket at an average of over 40, including eight centuries and 18 half-centuries. Watling had a two-game spell with Durham at the end of the 2019 season, scoring an unbeaten century against Glamorgan in the second of those fixtures.
Lancashire’s Director of Cricket, Paul Allott, said: “To have someone of BJ’s calibre on board for the first nine County Championship games of the season is fantastic and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford.
“We identified a top-order batsman as a priority in the overseas player market and BJ fits the bill perfectly. His First-Class and Test record is exceptional and he adds valuable experience to the batting line-up.” Commenting after signing his contract, Watling said: “I am delighted to have signed for Lancashire. I enjoyed my first taste of English domestic cricket last year with Durham and I’m looking forward to getting started at Emirates Old Trafford in the New Year.
“It’s important to start quickly and I hope I can contribute towards plenty of wins in the first nine games to help the Red Rose challenge towards the top of Division One.”
Paul Allott