INTERVIEW: Balderson discusses Metro Bank One Day Cup captaincy
Lancashire Cricket’s Metro Bank One Day Cup captain George Balderson says the opportunity to skipper the Red Rose is a “great opportunity” for him.
Speaking after Lancashire’s competition opener against Surrey at Sedbergh, the 25-year-old expressed his pride at being named captain for the 50-over format in 2026.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, it’s a good opportunity for all the lads to try and play some really good cricket, which we haven’t done so far this year.
“I was a little bit surprised [to be named as captain], yeah. Obviously I haven’t done a lot of captaincy for a while, so it takes a bit of time, I think, to just switch back onto all the little things you need to be doing.
“Crofty came up to me and asked me if I wanted to do it, and it was quite an easy decision to say yes. Hopefully we can, sort of, lead a bit of momentum and get our season going.”
The all-rounder has plenty of captaincy experience in his career to date, despite the fact it’s been a while since he led a side. Balderson skippered England Under-19s at the 2020 World Cup and has captained Lancs’ academy sides.
He explained that the game against the Brown Caps at Sedbergh, and the chance to captain the Red Rose throughout the duration of the One Day Cup, would be an excellent opportunity to improve as a cricketer.
“I was, sort of looking forward to it a bit more [before the start of the game]. You go through that today, and you go ‘Christ, it is hard work.’
“I’ll be better for that today as a captain, as an individual, and hopefully as a leader. Next week I can hopefully be better and we can get something going in this competition.”
Exactly what sort of style can fans expect from Balderson, the captain? The 25-year-old, an alumnus of Cheadle Hulme Cricket Club, talked through what he’d like to do on the pitch as a skipper.
“I think I want to try and be as spontaneous as I can. Think on my feet, try and allow the cricket brain I’ve got to come through rather than be formulaic in the way I go about things. Overall, try and be as aggressive as we can be, always searching for a wicket.
“You know, we tried out best today [against Surrey], we tried a few things, we tried to change things up, have a slip in as long as we could. But ultimately the ball never went there, and we didn’t manage to get the breakthroughs.”
The games come thick and fast in the One Day Cup for Balderson’s side. After the defeat at home to Surrey, they face Leicestershire Foxes at Uptonsteel Grace Road on Sunday before two consecutive home games at AO Farington Cricket Ground, Lancs’ new second home.
Looking ahead to those games, Balderson expressed his excitement at leading the Red Rose out for the first professional game at AO Farington Cricket Ground.
“Absolutely [he is looking forward to playing there]. The facility that has been developed there over the past however long is fantastic. State of the art gym, changing rooms, and the pitches, I’m expecting, will be good.
“We trained there a couple of weeks ago, and I think the pitches are starting to bed in nicely. Hopefully we can have a few good games of cricket there.”
After their trip to the East Midlands on Sunday, Lancashire take on Kent next Tuesday and Nottinghamshire Outlaws next Thursday at AO Farington Cricket Ground.
Tickets are still available for the two games at Lancashire’s new second home. Don’t miss out, get yours now by clicking here.
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