Northants snap up Lancashire's Luke Procter on three-year deal

The 29-year-old has signed a three-year deal at Wantage Road, and says he is looking forward to ‘starting the next chapter’ of his career with Northants in the summer of 2018.

Procter knows exactly what he is walking into by joining the County, as he spent a spell on loan at Wantage Road at the back end of last summer, and he said: “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to play for a club like Northamptonshire.

“They really impressed me at the end of last season whilst I was on loan and the lads have made me feel really welcome and part of the team.

“I’m eager to impress moving forward so I’m excited to join up with them all this winter, put in some hard work and begin the next chapter of my career.

“I would like to thank Lancashire and the supporters for the past nine years. I’ve had an incredible time and made some great friends.”

Oldham-born Procter joins from Lancashire, where he has spent the entirety of his career having graduated from the club’s Academy.

He earned his first professional contract at Old Trafford in 2010 and made his mark during that memorable summer for the Red Rose – not least with a knock of 89 against Sussex, which included five sixes off former Northants and England spinner Monty Panesar.

Procter brings with him the experience of playing in a Championship-winning side, and he topped the batting averages for Lancashire when they claimed the title in 2011.

That was the season after making the first of his 66 first-class appearances for the club.

Procter enjoyed the most prolific season of his career in 2016, scoring 822 runs with a career-best 137 against Hampshire, but he found opportunities limited last season and joined Northants on loan.

He shone with 82 and 94 in the County’s final Championship match against Leicestershire at Grace Road, and has now signed for Northants to open a fresh chapter in his career.

County head coach David Ripley is delighted to have acquired the services of a player who has a proven track record, and also has more than one string to his bow.

“We really wanted to sign a batter that can bat time and build partnerships in red ball cricket,” said Ripley.

“Luke showed in his time with us at the end of the season that he can do that job, averaging 58 and making three 50s.

“I am delighted he is joining us, he could have stayed in the squad at Lancashire, but he is hungry to play more cricket and is willing to move to get the opportunity.

“He is a more than handy fourth seamer too, and his arrival will really sharpen the competition in the squad for starting places.

“I’d like to thank Glen Chapple and Lancashire for their co-operation.”