Dale Benkenstein has parted ways with Lancashire as head coach, as confirmed by the club after both sides agreed on a mutual consent. The decision follows Lancashire’s challenging start to the County Championship season, where they’ve yet to secure a victory in seven games.
Steven Croft, a former Lancashire captain, will step in as interim head coach. This season, Lancashire finds themselves just above Kent, languishing near the bottom of Division Two. Benkenstein, aged 50, started his tenure in December 2023, succeeding Glenn Chapple who had led the team for seven years. However, despite a brief lift in morale in a drawn match against Derbyshire, Lancashire has faced two heavy defeats, one to Northamptonshire and another to Leicestershire, which notably pushed Keaton Jennings to step down as red-ball captain.
Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton, had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s form, stating, “not acceptable”, and promised that “necessary changes” would be made. With the T20 Blast campaign imminent, Lancashire seeks to reinvigorate their approach.
Chilton remarked, “Following a difficult start to the season, we feel that now is the right time to make a change, as we look to improve our on-field performances. Both Dale and I feel the team will benefit from a change in direction.” He went on to thank Benkenstein for his efforts, wishing him well for the future.
Croft, who played a pivotal role in Lancashire’s County Championship win in 2011 and led them to a T20 Blast victory in 2015, is set to take the reins. “Steven is a Lancashire legend, highly respected in the dressing room and has been working incredibly hard on his coaching career for several years,” Chilton commented. Croft, having retired from cricket last season, will be supported by coaching staff William Porterfield, Craig White, and Karl Krikken.
As Lancashire gears up for the T20 Blast opener against Worcestershire at Old Trafford, Chilton acknowledged Croft’s immediate contribution alongside his associate coaches. “I’d like to thank Steven, along with the other coaches, for stepping into the role at short notice ahead of our Vitality Blast opener tomorrow evening.”
The club hopes this transition will mark a turning point as they aim for an improved trajectory in the season ahead.
