Test star Prince has a first-class average of 42.70
South Africa vice-captain Ashwell Prince has joined Lancashire on a short-term contract for the start of the new domestic season in England.
The 31-year-old Port Elizabeth-born player has previous County Championship experience with Nottinghamshire.
Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's director of cricket, told BBC Radio Lancashire: "He's a good quality player.
"Batting is one aspect we've targeted to improve and hopefully he'll help us to get a good start to the year."
Prince, who arrives as overseas cover for VVS Laxman, made his Test debut in 2002.
He's still young and athletic and should bring some good energy to the team
Director of cricket Mike Watkinson
He later became the first black cricketer to captain his country on the tour of Sri Lanka in 2006.
"Although he's 31 and has played a lot of cricket, he's still young and athletic and should bring some good energy to the team," said Watkinson, who needs cover for Laxman while the Indian star is on Indian Premier League duty.
Prince has made 47 Test appearances, as well as playing in 52 one-day internationals, boasting a first-class average of 42.70.
His most notable performance was in the second Test against Bangladesh in November last year.
The left-handed batsman shared a record sixth-wicket partnership of 271 with Mark Boucher, closing the innings unbeaten on 162.
Prince, who has had spells with Eastern Province and Mumbai Indians, has also performed well with the bat in one-day internationals, scoring an unbeaten 89 against West Indies in May 2005.