Red Rose boss Chapple full of praise for Livi

LIAM Livingstone was ‘exceptional’ on his first outing as Lancashire captain, according to head coach Glen Chapple.

The 23-year-old was surprisingly put in charge of the Red Rose for their Specsavers County Championship Division One clash at Surrey following an injury to regular skipper Steven Croft.

There were plenty of other, more experienced, players for Chapple to turn to including Stephen Parry, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ryan McLaren.

But in the end he plumped for Livingstone - despite him having only made his first-class debut 12 months ago.

And Chapple was delighted with his display, as the Red Rose bossed the game for the first three days before Surrey batted out the final day to earn a draw.

“Livi did really Chapple.

“His field settings looked brilliant from where we were, he rotated his bowlers, he has a presence on the field and for his well,” said first go at captaincy I thought he was exceptional.

“There were a few candidates and both our spinners - Stephen Parry and Simon Kerrigan – are experienced cricketers with good tactical brains, but given where Livi is in his career I thought he was the obvious choice.”

With Croft’s broken thumb set to keep him out for several weeks yet as he waits to see a specialist, Livingstone could well be skipper again for the Championship clash with Somerset, which starts at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday.

However, England ace Jimmy Anderson - who was rested for the trip to the Oval – is available again and could well be made skipper.

Lancashire are waiting on the results of a scan on Shivnarine Chanderpaul after he suffered a hamstring injury during his 182 against Surrey at the weekend.

But even if it reveals no tear, it could be a risk to play the 42-yearold against Somerset - although Chapple admits he would be a big miss for Lancashire.

“Shiv pulled up with a hamstring on about 150 against Surrey, we will have to see what the scan shows and will see how he is over the next few days.

“He showed against Surrey how to bat a length of time and his tactical awareness of the game is great.

“He is talking to the lads every morning about batting – he is great to have around.

“He is proven, we know what he is about. I am convinced he retains the desire to do well.”