Balderson, Hartley, Lavelle, Morley extend contracts
Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce that four homegrown players have signed extended contracts until the end of 2024.
Academy graduates George Balderson, Tom Hartley, George Lavelle, and Jack Morley have all put pen-to-paper to remain at Emirates Old Trafford for at least the next three seasons.
Left-arm spinner Hartley has made 32 appearances for the Club and is forging a reputation as one of the Vitality Blast’s most economical spin bowlers.
The 23-year-old is often thrown the ball during the powerplay and in high pressure situations and has consistently delivered with 18 wickets at an economy of just 6.82.
Hartley continues to improve with the red ball, evidenced by his 4/42 against Kent in the LV= Insurance County Championship last season, which almost bowled Lancashire to victory on the final day at Emirates Old Trafford.
The trio of Balderson, Lavelle and Morley were all regular features throughout the 2021 Royal London Cup campaign, as a young Lancashire side won three Group A matches.
All-rounder Balderson’s form in the Royal London Cup earned him a place in Glen Chapple’s side for the County Championship title run-in, promoted to open the batting following injury to Keaton Jennings.
Balderson scored a First-Class career best 77 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, before taking five wickets in the nail-biting win over Hampshire at Liverpool.
The 21-year-old ended the season with another half-century in the Bob Willis Trophy against Warwickshire at Lord’s.
Left-arm spin bowler, Morley, 20, finished the Royal London Cup with nine wickets taken at an average of 22 and an economy of just 4.
He has also made one First-Class appearance for the Club in 2020 when - in tandem with Hartley - he spun Lancashire to a final day victory over Derbyshire claiming 4/62.
Wicket-keeper batter Lavelle has appeared in all three formats and caught the eye on several occasions for his lightning quick glovework and diving catches behind the stumps.
The 21-year-old scored his maiden professional half-century in Lancashire’s final Royal London Cup match of 2021, when he added 106 runs in a fourth wicket partnership with Steven Croft.
Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton said: “We are extremely pleased to have tied down four of our brightest young prospects to long-term deals.
“All four players debuted for us in the summer of 2020 and have since gone on to make significant contributions over the course of the last two seasons.
“It is always a proud moment to see a homegrown player come into the First Team environment and perform. We are looking forward to watching the continued progression of both George’s, Tom and Jack over the coming years.”