Essex sign Newby on loan.

Newby joins Essex on a one-month contract.

Injury-stricken Essex have bolstered their seam attack with the loan signing of Lancashire’s Oliver Newby for one month, after a struggle to find a regular place in the first team at Emirates Old Trafford.

Essex have also acquired the services of all-rounder, Tanweer Sikandar on a dual registration from Hertfordshire, demonstrating the counties urgency to cover the gaps left by their long list of injuries.

Newby was given an opportunity to impress at the back end of last season, featuring in Lancashire’s final three matches where he claimed 12 wickets, helping to cement their promotion to Division One.

However, the signing of Kyle Jarvis has perpetuated his fight for regular starts in the first XI and the availability of James Anderson has made it impossible for him to earn a place in Lancashire’s team despite early season injuries to Glen Chapple and Kyle Hogg.

The 29-year-old has played 51 first class matches, claiming 130 wickets at an average of 31.93 and was on loan at Nottinghamshire in 2005.

Essex’s season has been hampered by several injury problems, including Reece Topley, and club stalwarts, David Masters and Graham Napier, are both doubtful for the counties match versus Leicestershire this Sunday.

Essex have made a promising start to their Championship campaign, drawing their last match against Gloucestershire. Masters and Napier proved to be key players, claiming all ten first innings wickets, but with both players doubtful for the next match, Newby’s signing is an indication of their desperation. 

Essex head coach, Paul Grayson said: “We would firstly like to thank Lancashire for allowing Oliver to join us on loan. We welcome Oliver to the Club and he will go straight into the squad for the match versus Leicestershire. Everyone knows that we have a big injury list so we are pleased to have him join us.”

Newby has been an important figure in Lancashire’s second team, providing useful cover in the event of injury. He has also been used by the Red Rose County for limited overs cricket and returned career-best figures of 5-36 against Essex in 2012.

Newby said: “This is a great opportunity for me to come and play at Essex. I’m looking forward to my first game and hopefully getting a lot of wickets.”

Commenting on the additional signing of Tanweer Sikandar, Grayson said: “Tanweer has been practicing with us over the winter and has impressed everyone.

“He will join us on a dual registration with Hertfordshire, and we thank them for making this happen. This reinforces our relationship with East London cricket and I’m sure he will have a strong impact on the team.”

Both players are set to feature in Essex’s next match on Sunday at Chelmsford, where they take on a revitalised Leicestershire outfit.