LANCASHIRE has announce the signings of Luke Wells and Jack Blatherwick on two-year contracts.

Experienced left-hand batsman Wells joins after leaving Sussex, while fast bowler Blatherwick has signed following his departure from Nottinghamshire. Both players will link up with Lancashire’s squad next week at Emirates Old Trafford as preparations for the 2021 season get underway.

Wells, 29, adds significant depth to the batting order having played 141 First-Class games to date in a career spanning nine years on the south coast.

The left-hander has racked up nearly 8,000 First-Class runs at an average of over 35 and 18 hundreds to his name, with a career-high 258 struck against Durham in 2017. He has also tallied 69 wickets with his leg-spin, taking a career-best 5/63 against Glamorgan last year.

Blatherwick is a former England under-19 international who debuted for Nottinghamshire in One-Day cricket back in 2018. The right-arm paceman then made his First-Class bow a year later against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge.

The 22-year-old has made one ‘Youth’ Test appearance, against India in 2017, and also appeared in six under-19 One-Day Internationals.

Lancashire Director of Cricket, Paul Allott, said: “We are pressing on with our plans for the 2021 season and we’re pleased with the additions of Luke and Jack to bolster the squad.

“Luke’s record in First-Class cricket speaks for itself. He is a skilled batsman who values his wicket and has the ability to bat long periods of time. The opportunity to sign a player of his quality does not come around every day and was one we could not pass up on.

“In Jack, we are getting a highly talented young seam bowler who is yet to fully show what he can do in First-Class cricket. After losing Graham Onions to retirement and with Toby Lester moving on, a spot has opened up in the seam bowling department and we’re excited to see what he can add to our group.

“I would like to welcome both to Emirates Old Trafford and wish them well for their futures with the Club.”

Wells said: “I am proud to have signed with one of the biggest counties in English domestic cricket. This is a great opportunity to show what I can do and I’m hugely excited about the prospect of calling Emirates Old Trafford, one of the best grounds in the world, my home for the next few years.

“This is the start of an exciting new chapter in my career and I can’t wait to pull on the Red Rose next summer.”

Blatherwick said: “Joining Lancashire is a huge move for me, and I can’t wait to meet the lads and get stuck in over the next weeks ahead of the new season.

“My old team mate, Luke Wood, has had nothing but positive words to say about the set up at Emirates Old Trafford and I know the Club can help me develop into the next stage of my career.”