LANCASHIRE have offered Colne pro Joe Scuderi a two-year contract - and now it is over to Lord's.

Old Trafford cricket secretary Dave Edmundson confirmed today that the committee last night decided to go ahead with their attempts to sign Colne pro Scuderi, even though the Aussie-born all-rounder would currently count as an overseas player.

Although he has been brought up in South Australia, Scuderi holds an Italian passport and Edmundson said: "We are told that the fact he is an EU National means that Lord's would be seen to be in restraint of trade if they were to impose the regulations as they currently stand.

"But I can't speak for Lord's. We are offering Scuderi a two-year contract and we'll be applying for his registration before the end of the season. Then it's up to Lord's to act one way or the other."

Edmundson predicted that Lancashire's ground-breaking attempt to sign Scuderi as a non-overseas player, with Muttiah Muralitharan already taking up their quota spot, could have significant implications for county cricket.

"I think you could find the floodgates will now open," he said.

"It's basically an extension of the Bosman ruling which has had such a big effect on football."

Meanwhile Lancashire returned to Championship action at Old Trafford today against Durham.

Ian Austin was again missing, and will save his niggling knee for one-day cricket for the remainder of the season.

Durham won the toss and moved to 120-0 after 38.5 overs.

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