Glenn Maxwell, Joe Burns sign for Lancashire

Lancashire have signed Australians Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns as overseas players for the 2019 season.

Maxwell, who recently announced he would not be looking for a team in the IPL, is expected to arrive in April to play in the One-Day Cup - his first game will be against Worcestershire on April 17 - before joining up with Australia for the World Cup.

He will then return to Lancashire to play in the T20 Vitality Blast (alongside Australian all-rounder James Faulkner who signed a two-year contract with Lancashire last year) and play the final four or five Championship matches of the season.

Burns, meanwhile, will play the first nine or 10 Championship matches.

That means Maxwell will be given every chance to acclimatise to the pitches and conditions ahead of the World Cup; a factor he admits played a part in his decision.

"Coming over to England early next year will also help me acclimatise to conditions ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup which I am incredibly excited about," Maxwell said. "I still have aspirations to play Test cricket for Australia so I felt it was important that I play some first-class cricket whilst I'm over in England.

"The County Championship is an extremely competitive competition and I'm looking forward to being part of Lancashire's red-ball team."

"Glenn is one of the most exciting cricketers in the world and we're really looking forward to him joining Lancashire next year," Lancashire's Director of Cricket, Paul Allott, said.

"As a destructive batsman, an outstanding fielder and an effective off-spin bowler, he is going to play an important role in our side where he'll be able to contribute in all facets of the game.

"He will bring a wealth of experience into the changing room having played in over 150 internationals for Australia and it will be another fantastic opportunity for the young players in our squad to learn from him.

"As a player and as a person, Glenn embodies what we're trying to achieve at Lancashire Cricket. He's a winner and the way he goes about the game will be an example to the rest of the squad. He's an incredibly committed, ambitious and passionate individual and he will fit into our side seamlessly.

"Having pulled out of the IPL, Glenn indicated that he was keen to play some first-class cricket with us next season, and with Joe Burns signing for ten games in the Championship, he will have an opportunity to do that. That was a big attraction for us knowing he will be involved in all competitions throughout next summer."

Burns, meanwhile, has experience of county cricket having played for Leicestershire and Middlesex.

"He strengthens our batting line-up and brings a wealth of experience into the side," Allott said. "He will set a fantastic example to some of our younger batsmen in the way he approaches the game, both on and off the field.

"We've heard only good things about his personality and character and I know he will have a very positive impact on our side.

"With the IPL and ICC Cricket World Cup next year, it is not easy to find quality players who are available for the majority of the season, so we're delighted to have signed Joe."