The left-handed opener will be available for the club’s County Championship and Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaigns until September. He will arrive in the UK ahead of Lancashire’s opening Championship match against Middlesex at Lord’s, which starts on April 4.
Acquiring someone in Harris’s position brings vital experience to Emirates Old Trafford, which head coach Dale Benkenstein has cited as vital to an immediate return to Division One after leaving the county in 2024. Lancashire were keen to bring back New Zealand star Darryl Mitchell. Enthralled with the bat and ball in 2023, the lucrative platinum contract with PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars only for the all-rounder.
Harris has 12 Test caps for Australia, three of which came in the 2019 Ashes when the visitors secured the bowls in Manchester. He came close to being withdrawn for the home Test series against Australia, only for the selectors to opt for Nathan McSweeney and then Sam Constance.
The 32-year-old has been a consistent performer domestically and has currently scored 445 runs at an average of 49.44 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. He also excelled in county cricket following spells with Leicestershire (2021 and 2024) and Gloucestershire (2022 and 2023), averaging 48.39 in 29 first-class appearances across both teams with nine centuries.
“I’m really excited to be joining Lancashire for the English summer and will do my best to help this great club win promotion to Division One of the County Championship,” Harris said in a statement from Lancashire on Thursday.
“Emirates Old Trafford holds some special memories for me after hosting the Ashes in 2019 and I know both Nathan Lyon and Chris Green have spoken highly of their time at the club.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time playing county cricket in England over the past few years and starting a new challenge with Lancashire is something I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into.”
Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton said: “Marcus is an experienced operator of international pedigree and has a proven track record of scoring runs at the top of the order in domestic cricket in Australia and England.
“He has a strong record in England following a number of spells with both Leicestershire and Gloucestershire in recent years. We look forward to working with Marcus and believe he will play a key role as we seek promotion back to Division One. First time of asking. .
“It was important for us that we got someone on board who was going to be available for most of the County Championship this summer with the right pedigree, and Marcus ticks that box, while he will also add valuable experience to our side in the ODI Cup in August.
West Indies quick Anderson Phillip is the club’s other overseas signing, and is available for the first 11 Championship matches until July.
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