Cricket

Lancashire Cricket Club has secured the services of Australian all-rounder Chris Green for the next two seasons of the Vitality T20 Blast. Green, 31, played a pivotal role in Lancashire's successful Blast campaign this summer, emerging as their leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps. His contributions helped the club qualify for the knockout stages, although he was unavailable for their quarter-final defeat due to prior commitments in the Caribbean Premier League.Green's contract includes the option to participate in the County Championship and One-Day Cup, subject to availability. In 2024, he made six appearances in the One-Day Cup, scoring his maiden century, and one in the Championship for Lancashire.Expressing his excitement about returning to Lancashire, Green said, "I absolutely loved my first year with the club and I am even more excited to be coming back for the next two seasons. It is a really special group of players at Lancashire. I know that there are big things to come, and I am looking forward to playing my part in that during 2025 and 2026."Lancashire's director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, hailed Green's impact on the team. "Chris made a huge impact for us on the field and had a number of options and offers to play around the world, but we are delighted that he has committed to being here at Emirates Old Trafford," Chilton said. "Not only did Chris' performances with bat and ball stand out this season, but he also really impressed us with his leadership and his personality had a huge influence on the dressing room."Meanwhile, Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has re-signed South African top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the first half of the 2025 summer. Breetzke will be available for Northants' first eight games in the County Championship, as well as the whole of the Blast group stage.Breetzke, 25, was Northants' leading run-scorer in the 2024 Blast, amassing 460 runs at a strike rate of 153.84. His contributions helped the club reach the quarter-finals."I'm delighted to sign with Northamptonshire for the 2025 season," Breetzke said. "I really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I think the team has a lot of potential to push for promotion as well as go a few steps further in the Blast and win it. I'm looking forward to helping the team and hopefully achieving many more victories along the way."

Steven Croft, the legendary all-rounder who played a pivotal role in Lancashire's 2011 County Championship triumph, has bid farewell to professional cricket at the age of 39. Croft, who retired from first-class and List A cricket last year, had been playing T20 cricket for Lancashire this season. However, he has now decided to hang up his boots and transition into a full-time coaching role with the club.Croft's final appearance came in Lancashire's Vitality Blast quarter-final defeat to Sussex earlier this month. It was his 600th match for the club across all formats. He made his Lancashire debut in 2005 and went on to amass 19,183 runs and claim 199 wickets with his offspin.The highlight of Croft's career came in 2011 when he scored the winning runs against Somerset at Taunton, securing Lancashire's first County Championship title in 77 years. Four years later, he captained the T20 team to their maiden T20 Blast title, defeating Northamptonshire in the final at Edgbaston.Between June 2006 and July 2018, Croft played 148 consecutive T20 matches for Lancashire, an English record. He finishes his career as Lancashire's leading T20 run-scorer with 5,486 runs."My dream as a boy was to play one game for Lancashire, in the end it became 600," Croft said. "So, after just over two decades of playing for the club, I have taken the decision to retire as a player.""I can confidently say I have realised my dream and more, and what a ride it has been. To go with the games, runs, wickets and catches, I have played alongside some of my heroes and many greats of the game."Mark Chilton, Lancashire's Director of Cricket, praised Croft's contributions to the club. "Steven epitomises everything good about this club. He is an outstanding individual who always puts the team first and anyone who has watched him knows that Steven puts his heart and soul into every game and his record speaks for itself.""To be such an influential member of our side - as well as contributing to so many match-winning performances - over such a long period of time is something he should be very proud of.""Players like Steven don't come around too often and whilst we will miss his skill and experience on the field, we're thrilled that he will continue to play a vital role in continuing to develop the exciting young players we have at Emirates Old Trafford, working across the Men's First Team, Second XI and Academy."

Lancashire County Cricket Club has secured the services of Irish all-rounder George Dockrell for the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast T20 competition. This move comes as Australian offspinner Chris Green, Lancashire's leading wicket-taker in the tournament, will be unavailable due to his commitments with the Caribbean Premier League.ECB regulations stipulate that overseas players must participate in at least one group-stage match to be eligible for the knockout rounds. This rule was implemented after Essex's controversial signing of Dwayne Bravo solely for Finals Day in 2010.The Blast's schedule has been disrupted this season due to the T20 World Cup in June and the Hundred's summer break. As a result, there is a significant gap between the group stage and the quarter-finals, leaving counties scrambling to secure overseas players available in mid-September.Lancashire has found a solution by adding Dockrell to their squad for their final two group games against Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The move ensures that Dockrell meets the eligibility criteria for the knockout stages."We are delighted to welcome George to our squad for the remainder of the Vitality Blast," said Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein. "With the potential for knockout matches in September and uncertainty around player availability, George provides us with another overseas option for the latter stages."Dockrell, who has transitioned into a batting allrounder, expressed his excitement about joining Lancashire. "We are in a strong position in the North Group, with two important home games remaining as we look to secure a home quarter-final at Emirates Old Trafford in September," he said.Green, who has taken 13 wickets in the Blast this season, will depart after the group stage to play for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the CPL. He could potentially return for Finals Day on September 14 if his schedule permits.New Zealand batter Tom Bruce has been Lancashire's other overseas player in the Blast. After a slow start, he regained form with an unbeaten 50 against Worcestershire.Lancashire's acquisition of Dockrell strengthens their squad as they aim to secure a home quarter-final and make a deep run in the Vitality Blast.

Rocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son of legendary England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, has taken a significant step in his cricketing journey by signing his first professional contract with Lancashire. The promising young batsman has impressed with his performances for the Lancashire 2nd XI this season, earning him a place in the England Under-19s squad.Flintoff's journey with Lancashire began at the age of 8, and he has since progressed through the club's academy system. His talent was evident in his four appearances for the 2nd XI this season, where he showcased his batting prowess with a half-century against Durham and a century against Warwickshire.The similarities between Rocky's batting technique and that of his father have drawn attention on social media, highlighting the potential he possesses. His signing with Lancashire is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it marks a significant milestone in his cricketing career."I'm very happy and excited to have signed my first professional contract with Lancashire," said Rocky Flintoff. "It's something that I've been working towards since I started playing cricket, so to sign for my home county is a dream come true."Lancashire's director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, praised Rocky's performances and attitude. "He has impressed the coaching staff with his performances and determined attitude for the Second XI already this season," said Chilton. "He is a grounded individual and knows the work starts now for him to fulfil his potential in the years ahead."Rocky's father, Andrew Flintoff, made his Lancashire debut in 1995 and went on to become one of England's most iconic all-rounders. He played over 200 times across formats and played a pivotal role in England's Ashes victory in 2005. Rocky will now look to follow in his father's footsteps and establish himself as a top-class cricketer.

Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond guided his team to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Lancashire in the Vitality County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford. The Kent skipper's unbeaten 79 steered his side to their target of 164, securing their first win on the ground since 1997.Lancashire's bowlers, led by Nathan Lyon and Tom Hartley, posed a significant challenge to Kent's batters. However, the Kent top order remained resilient, keeping the scoreboard ticking over despite the difficult batting conditions. Lyon eventually dismissed Ben Compton for 29 and Jack Leaning for 16, but these wickets failed to derail Kent's momentum.Bell-Drummond's partnership with Compton had laid the foundation for Kent's victory, and he continued to anchor the innings with aplomb. Joe Denly struck the winning four to finish on 19 not out, completing Kent's first win of the season.Lyon finished with figures of 2 for 48 from 22 overs, while Hartley bowled 13 wicketless overs for 42 runs. The victory lifts Kent to sixth in the First Division table, while Lancashire remain winless and bottom of the pile.

Rocky Flintoff, the son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, has made a remarkable start to his cricket career, scoring a maiden century for Lancashire's 2nd XI at the age of 16.Flintoff, who made his second-team debut earlier this month, reached three figures against Warwickshire at Edgbaston after a 39-run partnership with his older brother Corey. Batting at No. 5, Flintoff hit several early boundaries off Warwickshire's highly-rated seamer Che Simmons, including an inside-edge past his leg stump. He also hit a brace of leg-side sixes, the first reminiscent of his dad's pull shot and the second an effortless pick-up over midwicket.Flintoff put on exactly 100 in 14.3 overs with Saqib Mahmood, the England fast bowler, who is captaining Lancashire's 2nd XI as he continues his rehabilitation from a back stress fracture. He also spent 13 overs batting with his older Corey, 18, with the pair adding 39 for the seventh wicket.He reached his hundred when cutting Lintott through cover-point for a single, raising his left hand aloft in celebration as he ran through before raising his bat.Both Flintoff brothers have been in Lancashire's academy since a young age, and have played club cricket for Southport and Birkdale. They both attend Manchester Grammar School, the alma mater of former England players Michael Atherton and John Crawley as well as Lancashire's director of cricket Mark Chilton.Their father Andrew has returned to cricket in the last nine months, after suffering serious injuries in a high-speed crash while filming an episode of Top Gear in 2022. He will continue to work as a consultant with England at June's T20 World Cup after spending time with their white-ball and Lions teams, and will coach Northern Superchargers in the men's Hundred this summer.

Carl Crowe, Lancashire's assistant coach, has bid farewell to the club after a mutually agreed departure on the cusp of the 2024 county season. The 48-year-old, who played 83 professional games between 1995 and 2009, has decided to explore new coaching opportunities.Crowe's coaching journey with Lancashire began as a consultant coach for the spinners in 2020 and 2021. He then transitioned to a full-time assistant role in late 2021. Prior to his time at Emirates Old Trafford, Crowe had established a strong reputation on the T20 franchise circuit, notably through his work with Sunil Narine."I have cherished my time at Emirates Old Trafford, but I believe it's the right moment in my coaching career to move on and embrace new challenges," Crowe said. "It was an honor to serve the Red Rose, and I am confident that this team has a bright future ahead. I extend my best wishes to Dale, Keaton, the players, and our loyal supporters."Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton expressed his gratitude for Crowe's contributions. "Carl has made the decision to pursue new opportunities, and we fully support his choice. We appreciate his hard work since joining us permanently in 2021 and wish him all the best in his future endeavors," Chilton said."Our relationship with Carl has been extremely positive, and we would welcome the opportunity to collaborate again in the future if the right circumstances arise. We are actively seeking a replacement for the coaching staff and will announce the appointment in due course."