Lancashire sign Nathan Astle

English county side Lancashire have signed Nathan Astle as a replacement for their current overseas player Brad Hodge.

Hodge is returning to Australia to play for Australia A in the Top End Series involving A teams from New Zealand, Pakistan and India. The Top End Series starts at the end of the month with four day matches, 50 over matches, and Twenty20 matches all being played.

Astle has played county cricket before for Durham and Nottinghamshire and joins many other Black Caps currently applying their trade in English county cricket.