Prince excited by Buttler arrival.

Prince made the first century of Lancashire's
season at Nottinghamshire.

Lancashire run-scorer, Ashwell Prince, says the arrival of Jos Buttler will be a 'big boost' to the team, after he was rested for the first match of the season, where Lancashire suffered a 45-run defeat at Nottinghamshire.

Prince's 100 in the final innings of the match proved to be in vain, as Lancashire failed to fully recover after being bowled out for 144 in their first innings.

Buttler's replacement, Alex Davies, featured in three matches last season and, since Lancashire's return to the top-flight, has been given the responsibility of wicket-keeper in Buttler's absence.

Davies scored 7 and 13 in the first match and, like many of Lancashire's batsmen, failed to deliver and Prince feels the arrival of Buttler will give the side a much-needed lift.

"It will be a big boost to have Jos back, he is a big player and was a big signing for us. He gives us somebody batting in the middle order that can take the game forward and take the game to the opposition.

"It is a cracking signing. He is an England International and has been outstanding for Somerset up till this part of his career, especially in one day cricket and we look forward to some great performances from him in both one-day cricket and the longer version of the game."

The only other batsmen to make a worthwhile contribution in the Nottinghamshire match was Tom Smith, whose all-round efforts allowed Lancashire back into the match and Prince said: "We know we have players like Tom also batting in the middle order who can take the game forward."

Prince believes that there are many similarities between Lancashire's wicket-keeping options saying that: "Al [Davies] plays in a similar way. He doesn’t hold back so I feel like they are a similar type of player, it is just that one has a lot more experience."

He also payed tribute to the absence of former Lancashire player, Gareth Cross, who is yet to be obtained by any of the the eighteen counties after he was released by the club.

"Having shared a dressing room with someone like Crossy it is sad for someone like him when nobody has picked him up yet, but hopefully somebody will come in."

Buttler is set to feature in Lancashire's first home match of the season against Warwickshire, which starts this Sunday.