Lancashire have signed Australian allrounder Madeline Penna on a short-term contract to play in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Penna, 25, will be available for Lancashire’s next four matches, providing cover for the injured Ireland batter Gaby Lewis.

Penna is uncapped but a proven performer at domestic level in Australia. She has also played county cricket previously, scoring 313 runs to go with five wickets for Essex in last year’s Vitality Blast.

Penna arrived in the UK on Thursday and will be available for the defending champions’ next One-Day Cup game, at home to Hampshire on Saturday.

“I’m really excited to be joining Lancashire for the next few matches,” Penna said. “They are the defending champions with a talented squad, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in, contributing however I can, and hopefully helping the team build some momentum in the competition.”

David Thorley, Lancashire’s director of women’s cricket, added: “Maddie is a high-quality cricketer who brings excellent experience, proven all-round ability and real competitiveness to our squad. She’s shown her quality in Australia’s domestic competitions and in England with Essex last season, so we’re pleased to welcome her to Lancashire for this important run of One-Day fixtures before the Vitality Blast.”

Lewis scored a hundred in the opening game of the season – as she did in last year’s One-Day Cup final – but only played in one more game before the club announced last week that she would be returning home due to injury.