James Faulkner set for Lancashire T20 Blast return in 2020

James Faulkner, the Australian left-arm seamer, will return to Lancashire for his fourth stint at the club for next year's T20 Blast.

Faulkner first appeared for the county in 2015, and has been one of their overseas players in the Blast since 2018. This season, he took 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.88 as Lancashire topped the North Group, but were beaten by eventual winners Essex in the quarter-finals.

"I am thrilled to be returning to Emirates Old Trafford for next season's Vitality Blast," Faulkner said. "It feels like a home away from home for me and I cannot wait to get started again in May.

"We were unlucky not to progress past the quarter-finals last year and we are all determined to put that right in 2020. We will be going all out to repeat the success of 2015, which remains one of the proudest memories in my cricketing career.

"Emirates Old Trafford is an amazing place to play cricket and I can't wait to reunite with the squad next summer. I'm determined to win the Vitality Blast trophy back for the Club."

Paul Allott, the club's director of cricket, said: "James is a fantastic, well-rounded cricketer of significant experience and we are delighted to welcome him back to Emirates Old Trafford for a fourth season in 2020.

"He is the very definition of an all-rounder. He can bowl in any situation, which he has done successfully for us at both the beginning and back end of an innings, and is still a powerful batsman, not to mention his outstanding ability in the field too.

"His enthusiasm in representing the Red Rose is evident and he has established himself as a key figure in our T20 side. He is a proven winner and a great role model to the younger players."