Clark’s decision a blow to Lancs

CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK

PAUL Allott says the departure of Jordan Clark from Lancashire last season was ‘one of the biggest disappointments of the summer’.

The all-rounder, who had come through the ranks at Emirates Old Trafford to become a mainstay in the first team in all three formats, turned down a new deal with the Red Rose to move to Surrey.

And Allott says they offered the 28-year-old the terms he wanted.

“That is one of the biggest disappointments of the summer for me. Players don’t leave Lancashire. I can’t remember too many going,” said Allott, Lancashire’s director of cricket.

“John Crawley had a fall-out years ago, but good players don’t leave Lancashire.

“Steven Mullaney left for Nottinghamshire which was an ambitious move for him and it’s worked out now, Ronnie Irani going back 30 years went to Essex and couldn’t get regular cricket.

“I am disappointed Jordan went.

“In the end we offered him what he wanted.”

Lancashire will start next season with a new captain in Dane Vilas following Liam Livingstone’s decision to stand down from the role.

“It is a difficult situation to appoint a captain,” added Allott.

“There were one or two candidates knocking about.

“But Dane had done so well when Livingstone was injured.

“He commanded and demanded the respect of the players, and they gave it.”

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