New Zealand's BJ Watling joins Lancashire for County Championship

The wicketkeeper-batsman is available for the first nine rounds of the Red Rose's return to Division One

BJ Watling has joined Lancashire for the first nine rounds of next season's County Championship.

The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman will arrive in time for the opening fixture of the new campaign against Kent and will stay until the clash with Northamptonshire in July.

Watling will then depart for New Zealand's two-Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled for August.

Last season saw the 34-year-old play twice for Durham in the County Championship, during which time he scored a century against Glamorgan.

In November, Watling was influential in the Kiwis prevailing 1-0 in a two-Test series against England, scoring a maiden double century at Mount Maunganui which set-up victory.

In 66 Tests he has scored 3,587 runs at 40.30, including eight hundreds and 18 fifties.

"I am delighted to have signed for Lancashire," he said. "I enjoyed my first taste of English domestic cricket last year with Durham and I’m looking forward to getting started at Emirates Old Trafford in the New Year.

"It’s important to start quickly and I hope I can contribute towards plenty of wins in the first nine games to help the Red Rose challenge towards the top of Division One."

Director of cricket Paul Allott added: “To have someone of BJ’s calibre on board for the first nine County Championship games of the season is fantastic and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford.

“We identified a top-order batsman as a priority in the overseas player market and BJ fits the bill perfectly. His First-Class and Test record is exceptional and he adds valuable experience to the batting line-up.”

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