New Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple has quickly moved to bolster his batting line-up by signing two former Test players.

West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul will return to Lancashire for his second spell at the club on a one-year deal.

While South African wicketkeeper batsman Dane Vilas has joined after signing for two years, with both players on Kolpak contracts.

With the club losing Ashwell Prince, Tom Smith and Alviro Petersen over the last two seasons, Chapple admitted when he was appointed last week that the club needed to bring in experienced players to help what is a young squad.

“We’re delighted to bring two experienced international batsman into the club ahead of the new season,” said Chapple.

“Shivnarine knows what it takes to be successful. The talented squad here at Lancashire is very young and Shivnarine will bring a healthy level of experience to help guide them.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

“Whilst Shivnarine will undoubtedly have an important role to play on the field, his role off the field will be of huge importance to our young players.”

Chanderpaul, at 42, certainly has a wealth of experience. He has scored close to 12,000 runs in 164 Tests, and is closing in on 26,000 first-class runs. He has also played 268 one-day internationals.

And the left-hander – who has also played for Derbyshire, Durham and Warwickshire – has lost none of his runscoring abilities by hitting back-to-back centuries for Guyana last month.

Dane Vilas of South Africa

“He’s one of the most experienced international cricketers in the history of the game and it will be a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn from him, in all aspects of the game,” added Chapple.

Chanderpaul played eight first-class matches for Lancashire in his previous spell in 2010, hitting two centuries and five fifties.

“I can’t wait to return back to Lancashire this summer,” he said.

Lancashire's new head coach Glen Chapple

“It’s an extremely ambitious club and there are some fantastically talented young cricketers in the squad.

“I’m looking forward to passing on some of my experience to the younger players. The 2017 season is going to be an exciting and progressive one for Lancashire.”

Vilas has played six Tests for South Africa, and has a first-class average close to 40.

Shiv Chanderpaul during his previous spell at Lancashire

With Jos Buttler unlikely to play much for the Red Rose this season, and Alex Davies coming back from two knee surgeries over the last 12-months, the 31-year-old will provide cover with the gloves, although will also be fighting for a place in the top six as a batsman.

“Signing a player of Dane’s undoubted calibre and experience is a great boost,” said Chapple. “He has an excellent record in first-class cricket and is a very good wicketkeeper.

“Dane’s aggressive batting style will see him as an important part of our T20 and one-day sides in 2017, as well as four-day cricket.”

Dane Vilas in action with the gloves for South Africa

It will be the first time Vilas has played county cricket, and he will link up with Lancashire in March as they head on their pre-season tour to Dubai.

“Lancashire is one of the biggest counties in England and I’m really excited about this opportunity to play my cricket at Emirates Old Trafford this summer,” he said.

“And I’m relishing the challenge of playing county cricket.

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“It’s going to be a huge test personally and I’m already looking forward to linking up with the squad ahead of the start to the season.

“There are a lot of exciting players in the squad and we’ll be hoping to challenge for silverware in all competitions.”