Lancashire has enlisted Ireland's George Dockrell for the T20 Blast, as Chris Green will be unavailable for the knockout stages due to his commitments with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
ECB regulations require overseas players to have participated in at least one group-stage match to be eligible for the knockout rounds. This rule was introduced after Essex signed Dwayne Bravo specifically for Finals Day in 2010.
This season, the Blast's schedule is affected by the T20 World Cup in June and the Hundred's summer holiday window, creating a six-week gap between the end of the group stages and the quarter-finals. Consequently, several counties are struggling to secure overseas players available in mid-September.
To comply with the regulations, Lancashire will add Dockrell to their squad for their final two group games at Emirates Old Trafford, against Nottinghamshire on Wednesday night and Northamptonshire on Friday. Lancashire has not yet secured a spot in the quarter-finals but needs just one more point to ensure their progress. Dale Benkenstein, Lancashire's coach, expressed his satisfaction with the addition of Dockrell, stating that he will provide an experienced left-arm spin option and could be a match-winner with the bat in the finisher role.
Green, an Australian off-spinner and Lancashire's leading wicket-taker in the Blast this season with 13 wickets, had a contract covering only the group stages. He is scheduled to play for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the CPL from August 29 to October 6. Green might be available for Finals Day on September 14 if he can fly back to the UK between games. Tom Bruce, the New Zealand batter, has also been part of Lancashire's overseas contingent this season. After a period of poor form, Bruce was dropped, but recently hit an unbeaten 50 in a win over Worcestershire.
Dockrell, who has transformed into a batting allrounder from a specialist left-arm spinner, expressed his excitement about joining Lancashire. He noted the team's strong position in the North Group and the importance of securing a home quarter-final at Emirates, Old Trafford. Dockrell will reunite with Lancashire's assistant coach William Porterfield, his former international captain.
Liam Livingstone is set to join Lancashire's squad for the first time this season, while Jos Buttler will rest after the T20 World Cup. England's white-ball players may be available for the Blast's quarter-finals but not for Finals Day, which is scheduled between two T20Is against Australia.