Michael Jones to join Lancashire on a long-term contract
Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce the signing of Durham batter Michael Jones on a three-year contract.
The 26-year-old Scotland international will join the Red Rose at the end of the current season.
Ormskirk-born Jones is a product of Lancashire’s Academy and will return to his home county after spending seven seasons in the North East.
During that time, Jones has developed into a full international with Scotland – his mother’s birthplace – and played an important role at the top of the order during the recent T20 World Cup, which included an unbeaten 45 against England in the opening group match.
Jones enjoyed a breakthrough summer at Chester-le-Street in 2022, scoring his maiden First-Class hundred against Leicestershire and finishing as Durham’s leading County Championship scorer with 878 runs at an average above 50. He would also make his T20 debut for the Club that season before scoring his first List A century in the One-Day Cup.
He’s since become a first team regular at Durham, solidifying his place at the top of the order in the Vitality County Championship and Vitality Blast competitions. Jones also features as an explosive middle-order batter in the One-Day Cup – displayed recently against Lancashire when Jones struck an unbeaten 41 from just 21 balls in Sedbergh.
Speaking about his Lancashire return, Michael Jones said: “I am really pleased to re-join Lancashire. As soon as I heard of their interest in signing me, it was something that I really wanted to make happen.
“I feel like my game has improved so much in the time I have been away, and I owe a lot to Durham for giving me that opportunity, but now feels like the right time to come home to Lancashire.
“It will be a proud moment to represent Lancashire again and I am really looking forward to joining up with the squad for pre-season and to contribute to our future successes as a side.”
During an interview with LancsTV, head coach Dale Benkenstein commented: “We have wanted to strengthen the depth and quality in our batting. Michael, with his qualities across all formats, was somebody we were interested in, and we are really pleased to welcome him back to Lancashire.
“In addition to his county form, he has just shown what he can do on the international stage during the T20 World Cup. We feel he is a great age, a great fit for our side and somebody who we can still improve and get better.
“Michael is a local lad; he will be coming back to his roots, and I know that means a lot to him and to the Club. We are looking forward to welcoming him back and getting the best out of him in the next few years.”
Source link : https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2024-news/michael-jones-to-join-lancashire-on-a-long-term-contract/
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Publish date : 2024-08-05 15:31:20
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