Staffordshire have added to their pace armoury with the signing of former Lancashire seamer Liam Hurt.
Hurt was released by the Red Rose county at the end of last season – and Staffs have wasted little time in recruiting the right-arm quick.
The 28-year-old progressed through the Lancashire system and went on to make 30 appearances for the county.
He took 15 wickets in the 2022 Royal London Cup to help Lancashire to the final, where they were beaten by Kent at Trent Bridge.
Hurt, who has also spent short stints with Leicestershire and Derbyshire in his career, picked up 2-64 in the final.
However, Lancashire opted not to extend his contract and Staffordshire moved in to secure his services for the 2023 National Counties Cricket Association campaign.
Staffordshire captain James Kettleborough said: “Liam is a brilliant acquisition for us. We looked at what we wanted to add to the squad and we decided it was a strike bowler.
“We found out Liam was available and sat down with him to get him signed up. I’ve played against him and you know what you’re going to get.
“He’s a big lad who bowls a heavy ball and has lots of skills. When he bowls he hits the splice of the bat hard.
“Liam has been open and honest that he wants to play professional cricket still and he has that desire and hunger.
“It would be great if we could have him for every game, but we’ll find out about that in the summer.
“If we can play a role in getting him back to first-class level that would be fantastic. He still has big ambitions.”
