Prince rides into Lancashire

Ashwell Prince sparked South Africa's escape act at Lord's with a battling first-innings century

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Lancashire have signed South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince as cover for overseas player VVS Laxman at the start of the coming season.

Prince, 31, who has 10 Test centuries to his name, will fill the void until Laxman arrives at Old Trafford following his stint in the Indian Premier League.

The Proteas vice-captain, the first non-white player to skipper South Africa in a Test, had a spell as Nottinghamshire overseas player last season.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be coming on board with Lancashire.

“My initial conversations with (director of cricket) Mike Watkinson have been very positive and I see myself playing an important role for them in the middle order.

“I enjoyed my stint in the UK last year and am excited to be joining such a proud and successful club.”

Prince’s presence could be vital in a Lancashire batting order shorn of former captain Stuart Law, and last year’s overseas player, Mohammad Yousuf.

Prince helped South Africa saved last year’s Lord’s Test against England, scoring 101 in the first innings. He also made 149 in a stand of 212 with AB de Villiers at Headingley, as the Proteas took an ultimately decisive 1-0 lead in the Basil d’Oliveira Trophy.

Left out of the Proteas one-day squad, Prince played eight matches for Nottinghamshire in August and September.

He made 33 against Sussex, only to see Murray Goodwin engineer an escape act and rob the Outlaws of the NatWest Pro40 title. Prince then struck 57 in the closing championship match at home to Hampshire, but could not prevent the defeat which cost Notts the Division One title.

Watkinson said: “As we experienced last season, the first two months is non-stop cricket with plenty of championship and one-day fixtures in a short space of time.

“It’s important we get the best possible start, and to have the services of a world-class batsman like Ashwell over this period will help us set the foundation to what we hope will be a highly successful season.”