Lancashire sign Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dane Vilas
Friday 27 January 2017 10:28, UK
Lancashire have signed former West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and South Africa wicketkeeper Dane Vilas.
Head coach Glen Chapple has prioritised strengthening the Old Trafford batting unit following the departure of senior batsmen Ashwell Prince and Alviro Peterson and the early retirement of Tom Smith.
Chanderpaul played eight first-class matches for Lancashire in 2010 and Chapple will look to the 42-year-old veteran to play a key role in helping to nurture the squad's younger players.
"We're thrilled to be able to bring Shivnarine back to Lancashire," he said. "He knows what it takes to be successful and there is no doubt that he will have a positive effect on our squad.
"The talented squad at Lancashire is very young and Shivnarine will bring a healthy level of experience to help guide them.
"While Shivnarine will undoubtedly have an important role to play on the field, his role off the field will be of huge importance to our young players.
"He's one of the most experienced international cricketers in the history of the game and it will be a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn from him, in all aspects of the game."
Vilas made his Test debut for South Africa against Bangladesh in August 2015 and most recently appeared as a late replacement for Quinton de Kock in the Test series against England in January 2016.
The 31 year-old has played in 96 first-class matches and has scored 7,580 runs at an average of nearly 40.
He has signed a two-year non-overseas contract and will join up with Lancashire in March while Chanderpaul has penned a one-year deal.
