Vilas hails Livingstone’s mature call

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.”