Lancashire 2006

Lancashire will again be led by batsman Mark Chilton in the County Championship this season which gets underway on April 18 against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl.

After last season's successful promotion campaign, Lancs will be hoping to continue in the same vein with confidence high and good team morale.

They embark on this new season intent on capturing the Championship title - aiming to return it to their trophy cabinet for the first time since 1950.

Pre-season has given the squad the chance to dust off the cobwebs, and has generally been very beneficial, despite a 24 run defeat against Yorkshire on Tuesday. The highlight being the highly prosperous 10-day trip to St. Kitts.

It was seen as an ideal opportunity to sharpen their skills in match situations, and give a chance to the more inexperienced players in the squad.

Indeed the younger players demonstrated an excellent attitude and temperament to compliment their obvious potential.

Incorporated with the youth, came the necessary blend of experience, which enabled Lancashire to register 6 straight victories, with each and every squad member making a telling contribution at some point.

Lancashire are renowned for producing capable young talent, and this was emphasised when they were rewarded for their development of English players.

The England and Wales cricket board operate a scheme where they reward counties whose players get selected for the English teams. The Red Rose county were the leading side for 2005, and received a welcome cash bonus of £13,526. No other county received more than £10,000.
Along with 'Freddie' Flintoff and James Anderson, who appear in the full England side, Lancs supplied players for England 'A', under 19's, under 17's, and under 15's squads.

John Stanworth (Director of the ECB Lancashire Academy) was understandably pleased.
He said: "This is hard evidence of the success of our youth programme, and our objective is to continually develop players capable of playing at the highest level."

Sadly, the down side to producing such quality will mean sparse appearances in Lancashire colours for both Flintoff and more than likely Anderson, after his recent performances in India.
Hoping to fill part of the void will be Australian Brad Hodge who is back for a second season, but his arrival will be delayed while he awaits the birth of his child.

Hodge will need no incentive, after being dropped from the Australian Test squad for their tours to South Africa and Bangladesh, despite averaging an impressive 58.42 in his 5 Tests.

The second overseas position is currently unfulfilled after Andrew Symonds turned down the chance to return, instead preferring to concentrate on cementing his Australian Test position.
One new arrival for Lancs sees Luke Sutton replace the retired Warren Hegg with the gloves after signing from Derbyshire. Gareth Cross will dispute the keepers berth with Sutton, though it is conceivable that both men can line up in the starting XI.

The batting line up will rely heavily on the shoulders of the experiened members of the squad in Sutcliffe, Loye, Law and captain Chilton. Also, Brad Hodge will be expected to fill his boots upon his arrival.

The bowling attack looks good on paper. Glenn Chapple has been impressive with the new ball pre-season, and you always know what you are going to get with Dominic Cork (whose contract has just been extended to the end of the 2007 season).

Sajid Mahmood will be hoping to enhance his England chances and Gary Keedy keen to show the England selectors what could have been, had he made the trips to the sub-continent.

Amidst this quality, throw in a handful of more than useful candidates learning their trade (ie Brown, Croft, Horton, Smith, Newby, Marshall), and the possibility of Jimmy Anderson. This shows Lancashire seem well equipped, not only to cope with the here and now but the future as well!

Whichever XI Lancashire select for that first game at Hampshire, it promises to be an intriguing season at Old Trafford. They will be looking to take that next step up, after last year reaching the Twenty 20 final, C&G Semi Final, and gaining promotion to the top Championship league.
It will be difficult, one would think, without that second overseas player, yet heartening to see the faith put in the youth to step up to the plate.

Lancashire will be confident of attaining some silverware in 2006, and Mark Chilton may have the honour of lofting a major trophy above his head.

(BBC Lancashire, 15/04/06)