Will Williams: Lancashire sign New Zealander as non-foreign player until 2025

But Williams has now signed a deal until ' in 2025, and will no longer be considered an overseas signature as he has a UK passport.

It will be available for selection in all three formats.

That might help it get into the quarter of Friday's T20 Blast final at home to Essex, as the Red Rose expect to be without five players - Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Matt Parkinson and Richard Gleeson, who have all been selected for the T20 service in England.

"Will's situation has been on our radar for some time," said Director of Cricket Mark Chilton.

"C He is a player we identified last winter as a possible overseas option before learning that Will also holds a UK passport and was being offered the opportunity to play in the UK as a local player.< /p>

"Due to injuries and international selection, we needed a short-term tailor to last month's County Championship games and following Will's performances in those games, and through conversations with him since then, we have made the decision to upgrade his short-term overseas deal to a player deal local.

Williams added: "It was a big decision in my life to use my British heritage to take local player status and give up my abilities to play in New Zealand.

"However, I felt it was an amazing opportunity to learn and grow my game."

Williams is the fourth highest wicket-taker in last season's Plunkett Shield in New Zealand, with 25 dismissals for Canterbury at an average of 21.52 - and has up to present took seven wickets in two County Championship matches for Lancashire, including match figures of 6-112 on his debut in the win over defending champions Warwickshire.