Lancashire complete jigsaw with Mennie signing

Lancashire have signed Australia pace bowler Joe Mennie as their overseas player for the majority of the 2018 season.

Mennie, 29, who has played one Test and two ODIs for Australia, will bolster an attack that lost Kyle Jarvis and Ryan McLaren at the end of the 2017 season and play across all three formats although he won't be available for the final three Championship matches in September.

Mennie's signature completes Lancashire's off-season recruitment following the signings of Graham Onions and Keaton Jennings from Durham and Australia allrounder James Faulkner for the T20 Blast.

"It was really important that we brought in a high-quality overseas player to the club who has good availability and this is exactly what we've got with Joe as he'll be involved in all three competitions throughout the season," Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple said.

"It was vital that we bolstered our fast bowling ranks within the squad after the departures of Kyle Jarvis and Ryan McLaren at the end of last season. We have now done that with the signing of Joe and Graham who will complement our current group of home-grown fast bowlers.

"Joe will add quality to our squad and we believe his bowling style will suit English pitches and conditions. We've heard only good things about his character and personality and we're confident that he will slot straight into the changing room when he arrives."

Mennie's one-off Test appearance was a tough affair against South Africa at Hobart in November 2016 when Australia were bundled out for 85 on their way to a series defeat. Mennie took one wicket, that of Temba Bavuma, before being one of the players cast aside by the significant changes which followed that heavy loss.

However, he has 200 first-class wickets at 26.17 - including 51 at 21.21 in the 2016 season - often operating in the favourable batting conditions of his home ground of the Adelaide Oval.