Chapple: We’re title contenders
GLEN Chapple knows there is an expectation on his Lancashire side to be challenging for the Specsavers County Championship title this season.
The Red Rose surprised many by finishing runners-up to Essex last year.
But they head into the new campaign against Nottinghamshire at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday as one of the favourites to lift their first title since 2011.
Despite the loss of the impressive Ryan McLaren and Kyle Jarvis from the last season, the addition of the experienced Keaton Jennings and Graham Onions from Durham, plus the arrival of Australian seamer Joe Mennie as overseas player, has left many tipping Lancashire to be champions.
And head coach Chapple believes his side deserve to be seen as title contenders.
“You get a surprise package every year. We wouldn’t be a surprise package,” he told M.E.N. Sport.
“People would expect us to be there or there abouts.
“We believe in this squad and I know they are ambitious and hungry for success. It has a good blend of youth and experience.
“But I wouldn’t rule out any side judging by what has happened in Division One in recent years, so we just have to focus on our own game and get off to a good start.”
One of the biggest decisions facing Chapple and new captain Liam Livingstone is the batting line-up, starting with the order of Haseeb Hameed, Alex Davies and new boy Jennings in the top three.
All open, with Davies’ superb 2017 earning him an England Lions call-up alongside Jennings and Hameed.
Chapple was on the Lions tour to the West Indies earlier this year and saw Hameed and Jennings had mixed fortunes as an opening partnership. And he admits although it is a tough decision to make, it is a good problem to have.
“We have certainly got options there,” he said. “Alex opened the batting and kept wicket all season last year and averaged 40-plus.
“I think it is brilliant to have three opening batters, and that’s what we have in our team now. Whichever permutation we go with, it is still good for our side.
“We have had conversations with coaches and with the players.”
Livingstone will move down from the No.3 slot he held last season.
“Three was a big challenge for Liam last year,” added Chapple. “He was asked to bat three by us because we feel he is good enough to.
“That doesn’t mean it’s his best position, but he is good enough to bat at three. With the captaincy, four may be more appropriate.
LANCS COACH SAYS RED ROSE RIGHT TO BE AMONG CHAMPO FAVOURITES