Lancashire secure James Faulkner T20 Blast return
Wednesday 7 February 2018 14:30, UK
Australian all-rounder James Faulkner has signed a two-year T20 contract with Lancashire.
Faulkner will return for a second spell at Emirates Old Trafford having played a crucial role in the side's triumphant 2015 campaign, in which Lightning won the NatWest T20 Blast for the first time.
The 27-year-old was the joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament two years ago, picking up 25 wickets from 13 matches alongside Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry, while also scoring 302 runs.
Faulkner, who has also played in the IPL and Big Bash, has made 94 appearances for Australia in all formats and holds the record for the second fastest century by an Australian batsman in a one-day international, hitting 116 from 57 balls against India in Bangalore in 2013.
He also picked up the man of the match plaudits in the 2015 World Cup final triumph over New Zealand where he returned figures of 3-36.
"I'm really pleased to have secured the services of James for the next two years in the T20 Blast," Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple. "He is a world-class cricketer and he played an important role in our success in 2015 when we won the competition.
"Signing James on a two-year contract gives us some continuity and stability in terms of our T20 overseas player which is what we were looking for so we're thrilled to bring him back to Emirates Old Trafford.
"He's a great individual to have in the dressing room and his experience at international level will really benefit the squad."
Faulkner himself is thrilled to be back for a second spell at Lancashire.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be returning to play for Lancashire Lightning in the T20 Blast for the next two years," he said. "I absolutely loved my time with the club in 2015 and Finals Day at Edgbaston still lives very long in the memory for me.
"I'm very excited to come back and work with Glen Chapple and the rest of the squad who are an extremely talented and exciting group of players.
"Emirates Old Trafford is an amazing place to play cricket and I can't wait to reunite with the squad next summer. I'm determined to win the T20 Blast trophy back for the club."
