Chilton ready for Bash with Renegades

JOS Buttler won’t be the only Lancashire representative at this year’s Big Bash in Australia.

Mark Chilton has agreed a deal to help coach the Melbourne Renegades in the T20 showpiece this winter.

Lancashire’s assistant head coach will be working alongside Andrew McDonald, who is in charge of the Renegades, as he looks to gain experience to take back to Emirates Old Trafford.

The former Red Rose skipper has also been helping with the England Test side ahead of the second Test in Adelaide as he looks to gain more coaching experience.

“It’s been talked about for quite some time,” said Chilton, who has previously played in Australia.

“The club is very keen for us to get some coaching experience abroad.

“I contacted Andrew, who was originally helpful in setting up my placement with Melbourne as a player. They were very receptive and keen.

“The Renegades will also send a coach to work with us at Lancashire in the summer.

“I’ve got a two-week ‘work experience’ placement set up, and I’m likely to extend that into the early part of January as well. On the back of that, I phoned Andrew Strauss and just said ‘Look, I could be over there getting some experience. Would you be happy for me to spend some time around the England group?’ I thought while I’m out there, why not create an opportunity just to be around the Ashes?

“I didn’t know how that was going to be received. But Straussy was very positive about it. He’s very keen for English coaches to try and develop themselves, and he mentioned it to Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace.”

And Chilton believes his busy winter could help Lancashire next season.

He said: “Part of my development as a coach is to go and observe how other environments work and see what you can take that you might be able to use for Lancashire’s benefit.

“That’s ultimately what it’s about. It’s about me trying to develop as a coach and to pick ideas up from a different country and competition to bring back to Lancashire to help us become a better team.

“I think it’s a really good concept.”

‘The club is keen for us to get some coaching experience abroad’