Chilton still learning the Lancs ropes
MARK Chilton admits he is learning things every week as he begins to grow into his new role as Lancashire’s director of cricket performance.
The former Red Rose batsman, captain and assistant coach replaced Paul Allott in the cricket department’s top position at the start of October.
“Is it what I expected? I think it’s probably a bit more than what I was expecting in lots of ways,” said the 45-year-old.
“The biggest change has been getting to understand the business and getting to know what’s going on outside the cricket department. That is fundamental to the existence of the club.
“I’m learning new things every week.
“Since I came back as a coach in 2014, you’re immersed in the cricket department.
“And there’s a lot of things that happen elsewhere that you don’t need to be aware of, to be brutally honest.
“In my position now, it’s important to be aware of it and work out how it’s connected to the cricket.
“I’ve got a wider understanding of the club and business, and ultimately it guides my thinking as to where we can go and how we’re going to do the cricket side of things.
“I haven’t got experiences at other places, but I would say that I think it’s a club at the forefront of the industry in lots of ways.”
Head coach Glen Chapple and his team report into Chilton, as does head of talent pathway Chris Benbow and also director of the women’s team Thunder – David Thorley.
“I feel like I’m in a bit of an observation stage with the Thunder because I’ve got no point of reference at the minute,” admitted Chilton.
“I haven’t watched a lot of women’s cricket. I’ll know a lot more come the end of September.
“But I do know we have a hugely capable staff and a lot of good young and senior players.
“The key is development and improvement because as soon as money comes into it and you’re paying players to play, there becomes an expectation around performances.
“That’s, ultimately, the world we’re in.”
While Chilton is confident Lancashire are class-leading in many ways, both on and off the field, he believes opening a second first-class standard venue at Farington on the outskirts of Preston - hopefully by April 2025 - will be ‘gamechanging’.
The venue will be used by the men’s first team when Emirates Old Trafford is unavailable, as well as for the second team and women’s side, as well as being a training facility too.
“At the minute, we rely on the goodwill of clubs, and we have some excellent relationships to support both genders,” said Chilton.
“Outground cricket remains on the agenda beyond 2025, which is when we hope to have Farington up and running. But, running a high performance environment, you want to take as much control over things as you can.
“Sale, for example, have been absolutely brilliantly with the women.
“Outstanding. But, at the end of the day, you’re fitting around a cricket club.
“It’s only because of their willingness and generosity that it works. But without that goodwill, we’d be stuck.”
Another part of Chilton’s role is signing overseas players which are put to him by Chapple and co.
Pakistan fast bowler Hassan Ali is with the county for the opening six Championship games, a spell which concludes after next week’s home game against Essex.