Queensland captain Stuart Law is headed for Lancashire this winter, after being named the English county's new overseas professional.

Staff at Old Trafford officially released the news overnight, confirming that they have tied the 33-year old to a deal that extends over the next two northern seasons. It comes at the end of a concerted campaign to lure Law to the county in the wake of internal turmoil last season at Essex, his former English home.

"I am delighted that Stuart has agreed to join Lancashire. He is a world-class player with a proven record in county cricket and has expressed an ambition to do well for the county, whilst assisting in the development of our younger promising players," said Lancashire Cricket Manager, Mike Watkinson.

Law played with Essex for six seasons, amassing more than 8,500 first-class runs at an average of 59.06 over that period. He was also the County Championship's leading run scorer in 1999 and has been consistently rated as one of the most valuable overseas professionals in the English game.

Despite blood-letting within the club that ensured that he was destined not to return for a seventh season, he also enjoyed a brilliant final first-class summer with Essex with 1311 runs at 65.55 during 2001. The haul included four centuries and eight half-centuries.

"I am delighted to be joining a county with such long traditions and I am really looking forward to playing a big part over the next two years. I only wish the season started next week!" said Law in a brief statement from Brisbane.

In replacing Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan as Lancashire's import player, Law joins at least nine other Australians already formally committed to county duties in 2002.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd