New Zealand all-rounder Nathan McCullum has joined Lancashire for English county cricket's domestic Twenty20 competition, it was announced today.
The Old Trafford-based club had intended to use Shoaib Malik as their overseas player for the tournament but that plan was scuppered when he won his appeal against a ban preventing him from playing for Pakistan.
McCullum, who has appeared in 22 Twenty20 internationals, impressed for the Black Caps during the recent World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, where he opened the bowling and starred down the order with the bat.
The 29-year-old McCullum, whose brother Brendon is due to play for Sussex, is set to make his debut against Northamptonshire at Old Trafford on Wednesday, and is available for all of Lancashire's remaining matches in the group stages of the competition.
Nathan McCullum, in a club statement, said: "I'm really excited at the prospect of joining Lancashire. Twenty20 is a form of the game I really enjoy so hopefully we can have a successful campaign and go the distance. I've heard great things about Lancashire as a club and can't wait to get over there."
Lancashire cricket director Mike Watkinson, himself a former England off-spinner, added: "It was obviously a blow to our plans when Shoaib Malik's international ban was overturned so close to the start of the competition. However, I am delighted that we have a like-for-like replacement in Nathan. He is an experienced T20 player who will strengthen both our middle order and spin bowling options."
{{/usCountry}}Lancashire cricket director Mike Watkinson, himself a former England off-spinner, added: "It was obviously a blow to our plans when Shoaib Malik's international ban was overturned so close to the start of the competition. However, I am delighted that we have a like-for-like replacement in Nathan. He is an experienced T20 player who will strengthen both our middle order and spin bowling options."
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