Shankar joins Worcestershire

Former Cambridge Univeristy batsman Adrian Shankar spent the past two seasons at Lancashire without playing first-team cricket

Worcestershire have signed former Lancashire batsman Adrian Shankar until the end of the 2012 season.

The 26-year-old right-hander spent the last two campaigns at Old Trafford, although he never made a first-team appearance. He spent the off-season in Sri Lanka, catching the attention of several counties.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Adrian came to the club's attention during the winter, which he spent playing cricket for Colombo in the Sri Lankan Mercantile League.

“He was the leading run-scorer in the Twenty20 tournament with an average of over 52 and also scored three successive hundreds in the longer form of the game.

“Adrian has the potential to develop further after his recent winter experiences and is keen to make an impact across all forms of the game."

The Cambridge University graduate added: "Having spent two full seasons with Lancashire, I am delighted to be given the opportunity to progress my career in county cricket.

“I am keen to make an impact and, having spent the winter in Sri Lanka playing in difficult conditions, I feel I am now better equipped to perform at the top level and look forward to being part of the future at Worcestershire."