Vilas hails Livingstone’s mature call

DANE Vilas believes Liam Livingstone showed a lot of maturity in standing down as Lancashire captain.

And now the new skipper says his mission is the make the Red Rose proud – and reward the club for the faith they have shown in him.

The South African was handed the reins earlier this month after Livingstone quit following one season in the role, saying he needed to concentrate on his form with the bat after an inconsistent season.

It’s a decision Vilas says he didn’t expect.

“I thought Liam did a good job, and I fully supported him,” said the 33-year-old.

“I know the team were behind him as well. But he obviously decided he needed to step down. For his career, I think it shows a lot of maturity. It can only benefit him in the future.

“I haven’t really spoken to him. He messaged me and said ‘Congratulations, I’m very happy you’re the guy to step in’. But I will definitely touch base with him at some stage to chat through a few things.”

Vilas will get his captaincy underway against a former Lancashire skipper as the Red Rose begin their County Championship Division 2 campaign at Lord’s against Middlesex, who are now coach by Stuart Law.

Vilas is currently playing back in South Africa, but can’t wait to return to Emirates Old Trafford to start Lancashire’s bid to win promotion back to Division One of the County Championship following last season’s relegation.

“It’s a massive club,” said Vilas, who captained the side several times last season when Livingstone was out with a thumb injury. “I was extremely proud and honoured to represent Lancashire in the first place. Now that they’ve offered me the captaincy and think I’m the guy to lead and take it forward, I’m very happy with that.

“It’s something I have experience of, but leading a team like Lancs for a full season in a different country is a new one and exciting for me.

“Right from the word go, the way the club welcomed me in and made things so easy.

“As a new player, especially from overseas, you are a bit nervous. But they made it so easy for me to settle.

“I remember (head coach) Glen Chapple picking me up at the train station when I got in. Those small things go a long way.

“They also welcomed my family, and we love it over there now.

“I want to make Lancashire proud and reward them for the faith they’ve shown in me.”

Vilas, however, will be under immediate pressure to succeed. Promotion is expected, especially with three teams going up in the ECB’s restructuring of the county schedule. And although they reached T20 Blast Finals Day this summer, he knows better is needed in white ball cricket too.

He said: “There’s always pressure at a big club like Lancs. There was pressure to stay in Division One and now to get back to Division One.

“Even in the white ball stuff. We feel we’ve been under par for the last couple of years. I know we made Finals Day at the end of the season, but we want more.

“We’re a good side in all three forms, and we want to show it.

“The pressure is good for the players. Hopefully it brings out the best in the guys.

“All round, we have to challenge the guys to be a bit more focused and mature about things. That’s something we will be discussing.”