Lancs search for new overseas player.

Simon Katich was an instrumental figure in the squad last season.

Lancashire will need to search for a new overseas player after it was announced that Simon Katich has accepted the role of Player Development co-ordinator for an AFL team.

The Australian international will start this job part-time until the Australian Big Bash contest has reached an end, allowing the Perth Scorchers captain to see out his duties until he takes the job on a permanent basis. 

This news will come as a disappointment to the Lancashire faithful, due to Katich playing a key part in the Red Rose counties return to Division One of the County Championship.

Topping the batting averages for the second division with 73.13, his accumulation of 1,097 runs was undoubtedly a major factor in Lancashire's success' last season and, as such, he leaves a sizeable void for the club to fill.

Katich plays a lofted cover drive on his way to
62 in Lancashire's innings win vs Leicestershire. 

As well as his immense contribution to the longer form of the game, Katich also demonstrated his credentials as captain of Perth Scorchers, leading the Lightnings averages for the FLt20 contest at 44.17.

Despite their elimination in the quarter-finals to Katich's former employers, Hampshire, Lancashire fought to the very end, losing by the cruel margin of one run.

At the age of 38 many professional cricketers would feel the need to be rested, or even retire, but this was certainly not the case for Katich, who featured in all three formats of the game for Lancashire.

His only notable absence from the squad came in a freak accident in training, which saw the Australian batsman struck on the temple.

The incident, which occurred prior to Lancashire's LV County Championship tie at the Ageas Bowl, presented Andrea Agathangelou with a chance to shine and the all-rounder made an instant impact scoring 121 in the visitors first innings.

Katich scampers through for a single vs
Worcester as he reaches one of four centuries.

Katich's highest score of the season, a magnificent double-hundred away at Essex, set-up a historic victory for Lancashire, who won by an innings and 105 runs, bowling their hosts out for just 20 in their second innings.

Whichever player attempts to fill his boots faces a monolithic task, but Lancashire exercised a great deal of strength and depth last season in their batting and the addition of Jos Buttler will only increase this.

One thing is for certain. His efforts will not be forgotten and the club wish him well with his new employment.