Lancashire appoint Dale Benkenstein as head coach

Lancashire County Cricket Club have named former Gloucestershire first-team coach Dale Benkenstein as their new head coach. The former South African all-rounder replaces Glen Chapple who has been serving the role in Lancashire for the past seven years.

The right-handed batter had previously worked at Lancashire as a consultant batting coach during the 2021 season on a short-term contract. He also served South Africa in the role between 2017 and 2019. Meanwhile, his first job as a head coach was at Hampshire, where he helped the club to promotion to Division One in 2014 and two Vitality Blast Finals Day appearances. Despite that, his tenure at Gloucestershire was considerably less flourishing, having guided the team to win just two out of 28 County Championship games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

"I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to become Head Coach of Lancashire Cricket. It is a county with a proud history and tradition and it's an exciting time to be joining the club. Lancashire is a county that I've always admired for doing things the right way and has always produced teams that are resilient and difficult to beat. It is a hugely talented group of players to work with and I am really excited to be part of that and to bring my own vision to Emirates Old Trafford," Benkenstein was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

"It's a new challenge for me personally and one which I can't wait to get stuck into. I am looking forward to meeting the players and staff in the new year and continuing the squad's preparations ahead of the upcoming campaign," he added.

We are delighted to secure Dale as our new men's head coach: Mark Chilton

Mark Chilton, Director of Cricket Performance at Lancashire, also expressed his pleasure after the appointment of Dale Benkenstein. He stated that he is looking forward to work with the former South African cricketer.

"We are delighted to secure Dale as our new men's head coach. He joins us with a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I believe Dale is the right person to move us forward and into our next chapter. 

"He is a fantastic fit for what we're trying to achieve, has demonstrable leadership ability, a strong record of developing and nurturing young, talented players to fulfil their potential and has also been part of winning teams, particularly at Durham and Hampshire.

"I am looking forward to working with Dale and welcoming him to Emirates Old Trafford in the new year, as we continue to build on the foundations that have been laid in recent years with an exciting group of players," Chilton said.