Lancashire have signed the New Zealand duo of Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme for the upcoming season, with the contracts covering the Vitality T20 Blast and the start of the County Championship season. 

The pair will join alongside the long-serving servant of the club – Dane Vilas as the three overseas signings. Vilas stepped down from his role as the captain of the club but has shown his loyalty for the club, continuing as a player. In view of the restriction of just two overseas players, the club feels that these two will provide them with plenty of options in terms of team combination. 

"We are really excited to add both Daryl and Colin to our squad and to be able to do so for such a large portion of the 2023 season - which was a key factor for us when looking to make overseas additions this year," Lancarshire’s director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton said.

"The schedule, as it has been for the last few years, continues to be really challenging particularly in the middle part of the summer throughout May, June and July, due to the amount of cricket we're playing in a short period. With that in mind, we want to ensure we've got enough strength in depth to cover for all eventualities and Daryl and Colin provide us with exactly that.

De Grandhomme has quite an experience of playing in England, with previous stints representing Hampshire, Surrey and Birmingham Bears. Mitchell is set to arrive ahead of the Somerset fixture, on May 11. Both the all-rounders will be available during the T20 season. 

"Colin will be with us from the very start against Surrey in the County Championship before Daryl joins up in mid-May, the pair will then both be available throughout our Vitality Blast campaign and, alongside Dane Vilas, provide us with plenty of options for different matches and scenarios."

Mitchell will bring in form and experience for the county side, having shown his A-game in the series against England 

"I had a taste of the Vitality Blast and County Championship with Middlesex in 2021 and I am really looking forward to trying to make contributions in both competitions for Lancashire this summer. The chance to test my skills again in two strong competitions is exciting as a player,” said Mitchell. 

"I really enjoy playing in English conditions and the special history of the game around the country. I have very fond memories of my two tours to England with New Zealand and hope to build more with Lancashire. It will also be great to link up with my old Blackpool team-mates Steven Croft and Richard Gleeson having played there for a summer in 2016."

Grandhomme, who is now retired from international cricket, too jumped in with his thoughts. 

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing for Lancashire this season. I've loved playing county cricket previously and I can't wait to get to England in April to kick off the season with the Red Rose," said Grandhomme.