Lancashire have signed Otago offspinning allrounder Nathan McCullum as their overseas player for the Friends Provident T20. He replaces Pakistan's Shoaib Malik, who will miss the tournament due to international commitments, following the reversal of his ban by the PCB.
"It was obviously a blow to our plans when Shoaib Malik's international ban was overturned so close to the start of the competition," Lancashire director Mike Watkinson said. "However, I am delighted that we have a like-for-like replacement in Nathan. He is an experienced Twenty20 player who will strengthen both our middle order and spin bowling options."
McCullum was pleased with the opportunity to play for Lancashire and looked forward to making a contribution. "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," he said.
McCullum could debut against Northants Steelbacks at Old Trafford on June 9, and is available for all of Lancashire's remaining matches in the group stages of the competition.
Butler to join Gloucestershire
Otago Volts all-rounder Ian Butler has signed with Gloucestershire as their second overseas player for the Friends Provident T20 tournament.
Butler, who previously played for Gloucestershire in 2003, joins New Zealand team-mate allrounder James Franklin in the squad.
Butler, 29, has represented New Zealand in 14 Twenty20 games, performing impressively with 19 wickets at an average of 19. He has also played eight Tests and 26 ODIs. Butler played two games in the World Twenty20 this year, and had a crucial role in a tense last-over win against Pakistan, taking three wickets.
"I am really pleased to be back at Gloucestershire. The club has been very friendly and welcoming, just as I remembered it from before. I am looking forward to playing some cricket and helping the club to success in the Twenty20," Butler said.
Gloucestershire's director of cricket, John Bracewell, said: "I am delighted that Ian has joined us for the FP T20. Ian is a specialist death bowler and pinch hitter. He brings with him recent experience in the Champions League with Otago, and at the World Twenty20 with New Zealand, and will be huge asset to the squad."
