Overseas seamer on Chapple list
CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK GLEN Chapple is looking for an overseas seamer to complete his Lancashire squad for next season.
The Red Rose coach has already brought in opener Keaton Jennings, veteran bowler Graham Onions and Australian all-rounder James Faulkner, who will play in the T20 Blast only.
He has also retained Shivnarine Chanderpaul for at least one more season.
But following the departures of Kyle Jarvis and overseas player Ryan McLaren, and with the availability of Jimmy Anderson unknown, Chapple is still hunting for a seamer to bolster the ranks.
“Seam bowling ranks need to be able to cope with a full county season,” said former bowler Chapple.
“We have good quality seamers at Lancashire, but given the international fixtures we are unclear how much Jimmy Anderson will be around for us.
“At the moment the priority is to add to the seam bowling department with someone who will suit English conditions.
“Hopefully it will be someone who can play for at least a large part of the season to avoid chopping and changing, because we want to encourage every overseas player who plays for us to have the team goal at the front of their mind rather than individual goals over a couple of games.
“We have a few targets, but nothing absolutely clear at the moment.
“We have been speaking to a few people. It may take until after Christmas for it to be resolved.”
And Chapple revealed he is searching the world for the right man.
“If you put enough research in, there are chances to find players who are a little bit under the radar, who might not be a household name but could still be of the highest quality in terms of English conditions,” said Chapple.
“A household name to inspire the fans would be fantastic, but primarily we are looking to help the team be successful, so the right man might not be an international star.
“There are lots of things to consider, but ●● Glen Chapple availability is key if it is an international player.
“That is something we look at first.
“A lot of Pakistani bowlers have the qualities to bowl in England because they are used to bowling a fuller length. You can work out how they take their wickets.
“It is not an absolute that who we sign will have had to play five seasons in England and played well in every one. It is just someone you have a feeling for.
“You want to see how many games they have played without injury, what people who have played against them think.”
Meanwhile, six Lancashire players have been named in the England Lions squad for their tour to the West Indies in the new year.
Liam Livingstone, Alex Davies, Saqib Mahmood and Keaton Jennings will take part in the whole tour, Haseeb Hameed has been picked for the red ball part of the trip and Matthew Parkinson for the white ball.