Interview: Steven Croft discusses final four games of 2026
Lancashire Cricket Head Coach Steven Croft says his side are desperate to “finish strongly” this season, starting with their trip to Merchant Taylors’ School to face Middlesex this week.
The Red Rose have four games of the 2026 campaign left, and after a tough year in the longest form of the game, will be determined to finish on a high note.
Talking to BBC Radio Lancashire following the rain-affected draw away to Worcestershire at New Road last time out, Croft explained that his side want to end the season in the best form that they can.
“We want to finish strongly, no doubt, and put those wrongs into rights. We’ve been short with the bat, we’ve not nailed it with the ball. So, yeah, we want to finish the season strongly,” said the Lancs Head Coach.
“We have made mistakes this summer, we need to put them right and take on those learnings that we’ve been talking about and trying to implement in the nets and do it out in the middle, because that’s where it ultimately counts.
“We want to win, we’re not just about keeping a nice environment. Obviously, it does help, but ultimately, we’re in professional sport, and we want some results.”
Lancashire’s most recent match away to the Pears saw just 125.2 overs possible due to rain, which affected games across the country.
With just two days between rounds 11 and 12 of the County Championship, it hasn’t given much time to rest and recuperate. However, Croft suggested that the quick turnaround might actually benefit his side.
“The lads are dying to get it right, with bat and ball, the senior lads and the less experienced lads as well. It comes at a good time, we don’t have to wait too long for another opportunity to get better.
“I think, looking at this one [the Middlesex game] a few weeks out, [we thought] it was going to be a tough turnaround. We haven’t had four full days here [at New Road], so from a fitness point of view, we will be a bit fresher than what we anticipated we would be. Back to training on Tuesday and play on Wednesday.”
With four games to go in the 2026 season, there is still plenty of opportunity to impress Croft and his coaching staff, in what is a squad filled with competition for places.
Looking ahead to the final quartet of games, the Lancashire legend said it’s a great chance for the group, especially the younger players, starting with this week’s clash with the Seaxes.
“It does [give players a chance to impress]. Like I said, there wasn’t a great amount of time on field this week, but what we did have was a bit of time off it. In the changing room, we had some really good chats, as a group and individuals to still upskill and learn.
“It’s a big part of the game, not just on the field, but learning off it. The likes of Jimmy [Sir James Anderson] in that changing room, Marcus [Harris] and Keaton [Jennings] and myself and Ports [Will Porterfield] have played a bit as well.
“So, there’s plenty of experience to go at, and ask, and still an opportunity to learn off the field. No doubt about it, we’ve not got the results we wanted, but it’s not through lack of effort. Some of those lads are at the start of their learning curve and hopefully they get the results they need.
“That goes for everyone, really. Not just the junior lads, but the senior lads as well. We all want to be doing better, and we get an opportunity in three days.”
The Red Rose take on Middlesex at Merchant Taylors’ School starting on Wednesday, with our match preview available here.
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