Young Lancs quartet pen deals

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Lancashire academy products Alex Davies, Gavin Griffiths, Arron Lilley and Luis Reece have signed professional contracts with the Red Rose, having come through the development system at Old Trafford and appeared in the second XI.

Davies, who plays his club cricket at Darwen, kept wicket in Lancashire's final LV= County Championship game of the season against Surrey after making his debut in the Clydesdale Bank 40 versus the Welsh Dragons in August 2011.

Former England Under-19 seamer Gavin Griffiths is one of the four youngsters to have signed professional contracts with Lancashire

The 18-year-old has also represented England Under-19s, as has right-arm fast bowler Griffiths, who plays his club cricket at Ormskirk and has been opening the attack for the second XI this season.

All-rounder Reece showed his form with the bat in the Second XI Trophy final, scoring an impressive 75 to help Stephen Parry's side to the title.

Delph Cricket Club's Lilley is another all-rounder who was called into Lancashire's CB40 squad for the trip to Worcestershire in August and hit the only six of the Second XI Trophy final, as well as taking two wickets with his off-spin.

Cricket director Mike Watkinson said: "We are pleased to offer professional contracts to these lads who have come up through the player pathway at Lancashire.

"We have watched them grow as players over the years with Alex and Gavin also being recognised by the England selectors at youth level.

"They have all performed well in the second team and we are hopeful that they will be able to make the transition and play first-class cricket for Lancashire in the coming years."

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