Lancashire sign pair of New Zealand internationals

The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season

New Zealand international Daryl Mitchell will join Lancashire for the 2023 season (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)

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 Red Rose and will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.

De Grandhomme, 36, will be available to play the first four matches of the County Championship campaign before he is joined by compatriot Mitchell, who arrives before their clash with Somerset on May 11.

Both will be available for the Lightning for the entirety of the Blast and Mitchell’s arrival will come in preparation for New Zealand’s white-ball tour of England in August and September.

Mitchell told the club’s website: “I am delighted to be joining Lancashire this English summer. The county has a proud history and having lived in Manchester as a child for a couple of years – it’s special to return in this way.

“I had a taste of the Vitality Blast and County Championship with Middlesex in 2021 and I am really looking forward to trying to make contributions in both competitions for Lancashire this summer. The chance to test my skills again in two strong competitions is exciting as a player.”

Mitchell has played 90 first-class matches, scoring 5,038 runs and has over 3,000 runs in T20 cricket – including 14 fifties – and has previously played in the Vitality Blast with Middlesex in 2021.

The 31-year-old had a stunning tour of England last summer, scoring a century in each of the three Tests.

Veteran De Grandhomme has notched 15 centuries, taken 212 first-class wickets and has scored more than 4,000 runs in T20 competitions, having represented teams such as the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Adelaide Strikers in the IPL and Big Bash respectively.

Retired international De Grandhomme also commented: “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of playing for Lancashire this season. I’ve loved playing county cricket previously and I can’t wait to get to England in April to kick off the season with the Red Rose.

“Lancashire has an exciting squad who have been so close to silverware in the last couple of years, hopefully I can help to add some experience to the dressing room so that we can go one step further this season.”