Channelling spirit of 2011 for Red Rose

TEN years ago this summer, Glen Chapple captained Lancashire to their first outright County Championship in 77 years.

It was a Red Rose side written off by all but those involved in it. With the club in financial strife as it fought a planning battle over the redevelopment of Old Trafford which almost brought it to its knees, a young, largely homegrown side defied the odds to be crowned champions.

Although the pandemic means cash is tight as Lancashire kicked off their new domestic season with their LV= County Championship opener against Sussex at Emirates Old Trafford this week, the club and the squad are much stronger than a decade ago.

Whereas the then head coach Peter Moores had a waferthin playing staff to try and manage through the campaign, now Chapple has tough decisions to make throughout his starting XI, such is the strength in depth he has to call on.

But as the club legend looks to now lead a Red Rose side to title glory once again, this time as head coach, he knows there is something his current squad need if they are to match their 2011 counterparts.

“What I would ask of this squad is to show the same drive and determination that that squad showed. And I think they will, I really do,” Chapple said.

“On paper, before the season starts, if you look back at what the 2011 squad was deemed to be, I would say this one is stronger.

“What I would say is that 2011 squad turned into a machine. By August, that squad was very tough and had got used to winning.

“There were a few key moments, the victory at Headingley, the victory against Yorkshire at Aigburth, the victory against

Hampshire, the Gary Keedy run out at Taunton – but it was more the feeling of the will to win that developed, and it developed early.

“It was a young team with just a massive sense of wanting to win.

“The players do that themselves, starting off with the right intentions and commitment and building results and wins.

“We are going to end up using the term momentum, but that is ultimately what is created by winning games.

“Everyone here is hungry for success this season and desperate to get going.

“We have young players now too, good ones, which makes it tricky in terms of team selection but exciting too. We have young players coming through who are all good enough to play. That pushes the experienced players, so this squad has all the right ingredients.

“The squad looks great. There is real depth, there is a good age range. We are covered in all aspects.

“If we can play how we have gone in pre-season, then we are going to be competitive.”

Chapple led the bowling attack in that 2011 side alongside Kyle Hogg, with both topping 50 wickets. They were supported by Tom Smith and Saj Mahmood, with spinners Gary Keedy and Simon Kerrigan completing a fearsome bowling attack.

And he is just as excited about his line-up this season.

“I would be 12th man in this line-up the way the lads have been bowling,” he said.

“The 2011 bowling unit was superb. And this one has got the chance to be equally as good.

“The balance is there, we have tall bowlers, left-arm pace, right-arm pace, accurate, skillful bowlers. They have to do it day in, day out for six months – that’s the challenge.”