Club Statement: Dale Benkenstein
Lancashire Cricket can confirm that Dale Benkenstein has left his position as Men’s Head Coach by mutual consent.
Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton said: “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.
“After relegation at the end of last season, results have not improved so far this year and after much consideration, both Dale and I feel the team will benefit from a change in direction.
“We would like to thank Dale for his hard work and commitment during his time at the Club. He leaves Lancashire Cricket with our best wishes for the future.”
Former captain Steven Croft has been appointed Interim Men’s Head Coach and will lead the First Team into the Vitality Blast, starting tomorrow against Worcestershire Rapids at Emirates Old Trafford.
Croft will lead training today and will be supported in the role by William Porterfield, Craig White and Karl Krikken.
Awarded his Lancashire cap in 2010, Croft was a key member of the team that won the County Championship in 2011 and captained Lancashire Lightning to T20 Blast success in 2015. He retired from all forms of cricket last year after making more than 600 appearances for the Red Rose and has been coaching the Club’s Second XI this season.
Chilton added: “Steven is a Lancashire legend, highly respected in the dressing room and has been working incredibly hard on his coaching career for several years.
“More recently, he has coached within our Second XI and Academy and has also joined a couple of England Under-19s tours, working with some of the brightest prospects in the country.
“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.”