Dan Birch joins Lincolnshire

New recruit Dan Birch insists he has joined Lincolnshire for the long term after calling time on his first-class career.

The big-hitting batsman, 29, has been snapped up by the Imp County after being released by Derbyshire last year.

Birch (pictured) and fellow new signing Andrew Crook will form part of Lincs' Minor Counties campaign, which get underway in April.

Birch has no qualms about dropping to Minor Counties cricket and believes he has joined a side capable of challenging for honours in 2010.

"It was disappointing to leave Derbyshire as I had some good years there," reflected left-hander Birch.

"I was second leading run-scorer in 2008, but I broke my finger playing against Somerset early last season and I struggled to get back into the side. That's the way it goes in cricket sometimes.

"But I'm excited to have joined Lincs. I know a few of the lads from coaching them and I'm hoping to do more coaching with the team.

"I went to my first training session recently and saw enough to suggest we can have a good season.

"We'll see how things go this year, but I'd like to stay for two or three years.

"I want to keep playing at the highest level possible."

For more on this story see today's Lincolnshire Echo.