DARWEN’S Alex Davies believes the return of Australian recruits Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner will be crucial when Lancashire look to complete unfinished business in this summer’s Vitality Blast.

In a major coup for the club the Red Rose confirmed on Monday that Maxwell’s explosive talents would return to Old Trafford alongside his countryman Faulkner.

The Australian all-rounders were central to Lancashire’s success last year, when they topped the North Group only to bow out to eventual champions Essex Eagles after their quarter-final had to be staged at Durham.

“We were disappointed last year to lose the quarter-final but we’re an experienced team now and we’ll be looking to go that extra step further,” said Davies, who was man of the match when Lancashire won the 2016 Vitality Blast final.

“Maxi is a massive player for us, he did really well last year, and Jimmy Faulkner is a part of the furniture.

“We’ll have a strong core again and we’ll be looking to go the whole way this year.”

Davies was Lancashire’s leading runscorer in last year’s competition and is looking forward to putting his stamp on this year’s tournament, which will start in May.

Tickets went on sale to all group matches on Monday and fans are being urged to snap up tickets for the Roses clash against Yorkshire under the Old Trafford lights on Friday, July 10 or face missing out.

“It’s almost sold out which goes to say something at this early stage of the year,” Davies said.

“It’s the one we always look for when the fixtures come out.

“It’s the best game of the year and the closest we come to an international atmosphere.

“You can’t really hear your captain speak so you have to watch out for people’s hand movements.

“We’ve been lucky to be on the winning side on the past few occasions.

“They don’t like to come down the M62 and we’d like to keep it that way.”