LANCASHIRE cricket manager Mike Watkinson says he's delighted to have Muttiah Muralitharan on board for next season - no matter how often he plays.

Murali has agreed to join the Red Rose county to become their second overseas player for next season, but his appearances could be limited by international commitments.

He joins Brad Hodge who has already committed himself to the club.

It's a return to two overseas players for the county, who employed just one last season to give the younger players an opportunity to shine.

"Having one overseas player worked for us last season," said Watkinson. "I think we showed that we are not interested in bringing in emerging overseas players because we have our own local emerging players.

"But you can't ignore somebody of the quality of Murali if he is available. He is one of the world's best bowlers and we are delighted that he will join up with us.

"He first played for us in 1999, and has been back several times, so we think of him as one of our own anyway.

"It is difficult to say at the moment just how often he will be available to play for us because of his commitments with Sri Lanka, but it is not a major concern.

"He is a player who is able to make a significant impact over part of a season and, also, when he is away it gives some of our younger players the chance to shine and allows us to be flexible with bringing somebody else in to replace him if we wish."

Murali made his Lancashire debut in 1999 and has taken 152 first-class wickets for the club and this will be his fourth season for Lancashire.