Lancashire have announced the double signing of New Zealand internationals Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme ahead of the 2023 season.
The all-rounders have signed overseas contracts with the Club and will be available in both the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality Blast as Head Coach Glen Chapple adds to his already strong squad which finished runners-up in both competitions last summer.
De Grandhomme will arrive in the UK for the Red Rose’s first four matches of the County Championship season before Mitchell joins his compatriot at Emirates Old Trafford ahead of facing Somerset on 11 May.
The pair will both be with the Club for the entirety of Lancashire Lightning’s Vitality Blast campaign – alongside fellow overseas contracted player, Dane Vilas.
Mitchell will then be available for selection for Lancashire’s County Championship fixtures against Hampshire, Surrey and Essex which all take place during the Vitality Blast group stage.
In addition to the opening four County Championship fixtures, De Grandhomme will also be available to play in – and provide cover for – the Club’s red ball matches that take place in June and July during the Vitality Blast.
Speaking about the signings, Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton said: “We are really excited to add both Daryl and Colin to our squad and to be able to do so for such a large portion of the 2023 season – which was a key factor for us when looking to make overseas additions this year.
“The schedule, as it has been for the last few years, continues to be really challenging particularly in the middle part of the summer throughout May, June and July, due to the amount of cricket we’re playing in a short period. With that in mind, we want to ensure we’ve got enough strength in depth to cover for all eventualities and Daryl and Colin provide us with exactly that.
“It has been a tricky process to try and add the right overseas players to our squad – in terms of both availability and quality – but I think we have found the perfect fit with two experienced international cricketers, who will bring quality to our changing room.
“Colin will be with us from the very start against Surrey in the County Championship before Daryl joins up in mid-May, the pair will then both be available throughout our Vitality Blast campaign and, alongside Dane Vilas, provide us with plenty of options for different matches and scenarios.”
