Symonds signs for Lancashire

Lancashire have confirmed the signing of the Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds as a replacement for Muttiah Muralitharan who is currently on international duty for Sri Lanka. Symonds, 30, who has played 124 ODIs, is an integral part of Australia's one-day squad and joins Lancashire with immediate effect.

Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire cricket manager, said: "We're delighted that a player of Andrew's quality will be joining up with us. Hopefully he will be the right sort of player to bring the best out of our squad for the second half of the season."

Symonds, who has previously played for both Gloucestershire and Kent, was in excellent form for Australia in the recent one-day cricket. He made 248 runs at an average of 60, and also took six wickets costing 29 each.

Symonds says he is delighted to get another opportunity in county cricket: "I've enjoyed my recent spell with the Aussie one-day squad and I'm looking forward to continuing my summer with Lancashire. They are a strong unit and I want to play my part in their push for promotion in the Championship - as well as in the other competitions. I was pleased when Mike Watkinson asked me to join and I'm keen to start as soon as I can."

Lancashire face Sussex in the C&G Trophy Quarter Final, at Old Trafford, on Friday and are hopeful that Symonds will be available for selection, if is registration being completed in time.