Lancashire's overseas star Farveez Maharoof has been called into the Sri Lanka squad as cover for their absent Indian Premier League players.

The 26-year-old all-rounder will link up with his national team for the opening match of their tour of England against Middlesex between May 14-16.

With five of Sri Lanka’s star players set to leave the IPL and join up with the squad ahead of their second game against the England Lions at Derby, Maharoof is only due to miss Lancashire’s Cyldesdale Bank 40 match against Somerset at Taunton on Sunday, May 15.

But a strong performance against Middlesex at Uxbridge, added to continued good form for the Red Rose, could see him drafted into the full squad – coached by former Lancs batsman Stuart Law – for the whole tour, which runs until mid-July.

And with Sri Lanka A also touring England from July 20 to August 16, Lancashire could well be without their overseas ace for a big part of the campaign if he continues to impress.

And, ironically, Maharoof could even face his Red Rose team-mates, with Lancashire facing Sri Lanka A in a one-day match at Old Trafford on August 8.

Maharoof, who marked his Lancashire debut with a century against Somerset at Aigburth, is in action today as Lightning face Essex in the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Chelmsford.

Skipper Glen Chapple will sit out the match in order to rest a niggling knee injury, aggravated during last week’s LV= County Championship draw against Sussex at Hove.

And that means Steven Croft will lead Lightning for the first time in a competitive match.

Chapple is confident the 26-year-old all-rounder will be a success in the role.

He said: “Crofty’s someone who the lads will fight for because he gets stuck in.

“He’s played good cricket for a couple of years now, and we see him as a capable leader of the side.

“He’s a really good replacement. Hopefully, he will take the job by the scruff of the neck and go with it."

Croft went on a captaincy course during the winter, and will be the fourth player to have led the side in Chapple’s absence since he took over from Law in 2009.

Departed wicketkeeper Luke Sutton filled in during Championship matches, as has former skipper Mark Chilton, while Paul Horton captained the side in a handful of 40-over and Twenty20 matches last year.

“We want 11 lads who can be leaders out on the park, and we’ve got a squad who will all fight for each other,” said Chapple.

“Sometimes we can go on about there being a lot of Lancastrians a bit too much because we’ve got players like Stephen Moore from Worcester, who is absolutely crucial to us.

“The ones from outside of the county are just as keen to do well.”

Chapple and England bowler Jimmy Anderson will link up with their team-mates tomorrow afternoon to prepare for Wednesday’s Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

And it is set to be a star-studded clash, with England duo Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott in the Warwickshire side.

“Warwickshire will be a really good test for us,” said Chapple, who is expected to be fit.

“I can’t wait for Jimmy to join us. He’ll be really keen to play some cricket, and he’s always done well for us when he’s played.”

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