Cumbria have signed the 39-year-old Lancashire stalwart Steven Croft for their 2024 campaign.
Croft, who is only playing T-20 for the Red Rose county this season has signed on dual registration and could be in line for his Cumbria debut on April 28.
He has been included in a squad of 12 announced for the first two NCCA T20 matches of the season at Roseworth Terrace, Gosforth against Northumberland.
This will be Croft’s 21st season with Lancashire and he’s now part of their coaching staff; working alongside newly-appointed head coach Dale Benkenstein.
Croft played 148 consecutive T20 matches for the Red Rose between June 2006 and July 2018.
Croft played 212 First-Class and 175 List A matches for the Red Rose, hitting the winning runs as they lifted the County Championship in 2011.
The veteran also had a two-year stint as captain in 2016 and 2017 before a benefit year in 2018.
He said: “Obviously being one of the senior players now, my role might be a little different this year. It will be a great opportunity for younger players to get a go.”
Croft is joined at Cumbria by 19-year-old Harry Singh who is in his second year as a professional player with Lancashire. He has yet to play for their first team except against Cumbria at Sedbergh School in last year’s showcase game but he has played four international games for England unfder-19’s with a top score of 104.
Croft, Singh and Ed Moulton are the three permitted players who do not fulfil the NCCA eligibility as being either born, educated or playing for a club within the County.
The squad is: Freddie Fallows (Kendal), Sam Dutton (Kendal), Steven Croft (Lancashire and Blackpool), Harry Singh (Lancashire and Urmston), Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth), Michael Slack (Carlisle, capt), Ben Barrow (Netherfield),
Greg Cameron (Keswick), Nico Watt (Carlisle),Finlay Richardson (Kendal, wk), Ed Moulton (Chorley), Sam Sharp (Kendal).
