Emerging all-rounder Arav Shetty has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Lancashire Cricket, extending his stay at Emirates Old Trafford after a standout short-term stint last summer. At just 21, this right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler is the first graduate from the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to lock in a professional contract with the club, and it’s clear why the Red Rose brass see him as a key piece moving forward.

Lancashire Signs Arav Shetty

Arav Shetty burst onto the scene during the Metro Bank One-Day Cup in August 2025, wasting no time in proving his worth across formats. In seven List A outings, he racked up 168 runs at an average of 33.6, with a top score of 40, while snaring nine wickets with his crafty off-breaks.

He even made his First-Class debut in the Rothesay County Championship against Middlesex, picking up a wicket and gaining vital red-ball experience. Throw in appearances at Vitality Blast Finals Day, and you’ve got a young talent who adapted quickly to the big stage. His Second XI numbers speak volumes too, 1,546 runs at 32 and 45 wickets at 31 across 53 matches, showing he’s no flash in the pan.

What makes this signing even more special is Shetty’s journey. A product of Lancashire’s academy, he faced setbacks after leaving at 18 for university, but fought back through SACA and Second XI grind.

Speaking on the official site, Shetty said, “I’m really happy to commit my future to Lancashire, the club I grew up representing as a junior. The support from coaches, players, and members has been terrific, and I’m excited to give everything for the club’s success.” Head coach Steven Croft echoed the hype: “Arav showed real growth last season… His all-round skills add depth to our squad, and we’re thrilled to develop him further with the Red Rose.”

Expect Arav Shetty to push for more first-team minutes right away. If his 2025 cameos are any guide, best figures of 3-34 in the One-Day Cup and that gritty debut, he’ll deliver drama and results. Lancashire members, rejoice: priority tickets for domestic games, including the big July 10 Roses showdown, are up for grabs from £35. Shetty’s arrival signals brighter days ahead. Stay tuned as the Red Rose builds for glory; you won’t want to miss this rise.

Also read: Essex Signs Zaman Akhter To Strengthen Bowling Unit

County Cricket is from England, where cricket was born. The domestic format of cricket is known as a county cricket for them. The format and history of cricket in England are around 500 years old. 

The County Cricket tournaments 

Vitality County Championship – This tournament is running its 124th edition currently in 2024. It has 18 teams competing against each other, all teams are named after the cities in England and Wales. It became official in 1890, though the first first of inter-county match is known to have been conducted in 1709.

The format of the Vitality County Championship is first class (4 days) teams battle it out over multiple rounds to secure the coveted title. The tournament is divided into two divisions with home and away fixtures. 

The Championship is renowned for its rich history, intense rivalries, and the opportunity for players to showcase their skills at the highest level of domestic cricket. The most successful team in County Championship is Yorkshire with 32 titles and 1 shared. 

It serves as a breeding ground for future England internationals and a platform for established players to maintain their form. The competition is named after its sponsor, Vitality, a health and wellness company.

T20 Vitality Blast – This was the first T20 format tournament of county cricket from England and Wales which was proposed by the marketing manager of ECB to the country chairmen in 2001. The voting got in the favour of this format with 11-7 and the tournament’s first edition of tournament commenced in 2003. 

It was first known as Twenty 20 Cup from 2003-09,  the Friends Provident t20 and Friends Life t20 from 2010 to 2013, and the Natwest t20 Blast from 2014 to 2017. The insurance company Vitality sponsored the tournament and since 2018 has been known as the Vitality Blast. 

The most successful teams of this tournament are Leicestershire Foxes and Hampshire Foxes with 3 titles each. There are two groups in this tournament each containing 9 teams in totality. 

Metro One Day Cup – This county cricket tournament was commenced in 2014 to replace the ECB 40-over tournament which ran from 2010 to 2013. The Metro One Day Cup is known for its exciting matches, high-scoring encounters, and the opportunity for players to showcase their skills in a shorter format of the game. 

It is a popular tournament among fans and players alike, and it often serves as a platform for emerging talent to make their mark on the cricket scene. The tournament’s current champion is Leicestershire Foxes in 2023. 

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – It is a tournament of 50 overs format which was commenced in 2020. It was named after a former English cricketer Rachel Heyhoe Flint who died in 2017. It’s an English and Welsh women’s cricket domestic competition. There are a total of 8 teams who compete against each other for the title. 

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy is a women’s cricket tournament in England and Wales. Teams play four-day matches to win the trophy. It’s the biggest women’s cricket league in England and Wales, where players can show their skills and try to play for the national team. The trophy has helped women’s cricket grow in England and Wales

Charlotte Edwards Cup – This County Cricket tournament commenced in 2021 and follows the T20 format. It is a women’s T20 format domestic tournament that was named after England’s former captain and most capped player Charlotte Edwards. 

This County Cricket tournament also has 8 teams to compete against each other with current champion The Blaze and the most successful team in the tournament Southern Vipers. With 2 titles. The first edition of this tournament was won by South East Stars. 

The Hundred – It is a new County Cricket competition in England and Wales, commenced in 2021. It is a 100-ball format, where each team bats for a maximum of 100 balls. The Hundred aims to attract new fans to cricket and provide a more accessible and exciting format of the game.

 It features eight teams, each representing a different region in England and Wales. The Hundred has been praised for its innovative approach and has attracted significant interest from fans and players alike. 

The bowler is allowed to bowl a maximum of 20 balls and over consist of 5 balls which a bowler can consecutively bowl twice. The current champions of the tournament were London Spirit who defeated Oval Invincibles in the finals of the 2024 season. Oval Invincibles are also the most successful team in this County Cricket tournament with two title wins. 

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Leicestershire prevailed over Durham in the 40th match of the Vitality Blast, a cricket county tournament which is underway in England and Wales. South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder bowled an excellent spell of 2 for 19 for the Fozex while defending 140 runs at the Seat Unique Riverside.

Rishi Patel’s opening 48 off 44 balls helped the Foxes post 140 runs. Durham was hoping to chase down the target in the sluggish wicket. However, Mulder’s early two wickets haul pushed Durham at19 for 3 and it could never recover from that. They fell 10 runs short while chasing 17 off the last over.

It was Josh Hull’s final over that sealed Leicestershire’s third win and consigned Durham to a third defeat.

The Over That Mattered To Win Vitality Blast Match

The penultimate over bowled by Scott Currie also turned out to be a game changer. Durham needed 20 runs from 12 balls to win. In the 19th over, Scott Currie conceded only three runs and took a wicket. This meant Durham needed 17 of the last over. Leicestershire defended those runs.

If penultimate overs are the hardest to bowl, no one told Scott Currie

He was outstanding in the 19th to help @leicsccc to a win at Durham 😎 pic.twitter.com/8KNwQ7YAw1

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 12, 2024

Durham looked in control but pressure was not off especially when Turner was run out at 104 for 4 in the 16th. 

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Despite Graham Clark reaching his fifty, he was starved of boundary towards the end, denting the chances of Durham to win the match.

Third placed Leicestershire got the better of eighth place Durham in the thriller. While Leicestershire has won three of their five played matches, Durham has lost three of the five played matches.

Vitality Blast, also known as T20 Blast, is having its 22nd edition. It is a professional T20 league played in England and Wales. The tournament commenced on 30 May and will go on till 14 September 2024, according to the schedule.The tournament is run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

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There are seven teams in the tournament with a North and South split. Each team will play 14 group-stages matches, seven home and away each.

Somerset are the defending champions of the T20 blast.