Lancashire Cricket announces 2026 playing squads following significant winter investment
Ahead of the 2026 season, Lancashire Cricket has announced its men’s and women’s playing squads following a winter of significant investment across both programmes.
Over the past 12 months, the Club’s Board has committed more than £5 million in new contracts across the men’s and women’s squads, strengthening depth, competition and quality ahead of the new campaign. These additions build on long-term commitments already secured, including Keaton Jennings’ five-year deal, three-year contracts for Luke Wells and George Balderson, and Sir James Anderson’s decision to continue playing for Lancashire last year and in 2026.
The men’s squad has been bolstered by a number of contract extensions and new signings. Domestic additions included Ajeet Singh Dale and Paul Coughlin who joined the squad from Gloucestershire and Durham respectively. It has been further strengthened by the return of Australian batter Marcus Harris, who enters the second year of his three-season deal with the Club.
The Club is currently assessing replacement options for Mitch Perry, who has been withdrawn from his stint at late notice due to injury following a scan after last week’s Sheffield Shield final.
Australian all-rounder Chris Green – named the Club’s T20 Player of the Year over the last two years - will return for his third summer with the Red Rose, featuring in both Vitality Blast fixtures and selected red-ball matches. He will be joined in the Blast by fellow Australian Ben McDermott for the duration of the Blast. If the side progresses, both will be available for the knockout stages of the competition.
Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone and Luke Wood have signed T20-only contracts and will be available exclusively for the Vitality Blast, following on from their involvement in the Indian Premier League. Saqib Mahmood has also signed a T20 contract, with the option to feature in red-ball cricket subject to fitness and availability.
England Under-19 international Joe Moores, who made his List A debut last summer, has signed his first full-time professional contract and will spend his first full season with the senior squad, becoming the latest pathway player to step up into the First Team.
The men’s side will be led by Head Coach Steven Croft, who was appointed on a permanent basis in November 2025. Croft has reinforced his coaching team with the appointments of Kabir Ali as bowling coach and Matthew Mott as a specialist coaching consultant.
For Lancashire Women, Head Coach Chris Read has signed a new two-year contract, while seven players from last season’s double-winning squad have extended their deals as Director of Women’s Cricket David Thorley continues to build for sustained success.
Kate Cross has signed a new one-year contract following the conclusion of her England central contract, while centrally contracted players Sophie Ecclestone and Mahika Gaur have agreed shadow contracts for the 2026 season.
Lancashire have also secured the high-profile overseas signing of former Australia captain Meg Lanning on a two-year Vitality Blast deal, alongside the return of Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, who played a key role in last season’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup triumph.
Top-order batter Tilly Kesteven, who enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 campaign, has signed her first professional contract with the Club – as well as further contracts for Ellie Threlkeld, Ailsa Lister and Darcey Cater.
Read has also strengthened his coaching staff with the additions of spin bowling coach Mattie McKiernan and pace bowling coach Scott Boswell, both joining from The Blaze.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton said: “We’re excited and optimistic about the new season for both our men’s and women’s squads at Lancashire Cricket. Both squads have worked incredibly hard over the course of the winter and are well prepared leading into our first fixtures.
“Across both squads, our ambition is clear - we want to compete for and win trophies in all formats. We are also determined to see our men’s team return to Division One of the County Championship.
“The investment we’ve made this winter reflects that intent. It has been made possible by the continued backing of the Board, supported by the strength of the Club’s off-field commercial business, which allow us to reinvest into cricket – both on the field, as well as on facilities and infrastructure. This gives us a competitive advantage compared to other counties in the market, who are restricted by ECB guardrails when using the proceeds from The Hundred investment."
“We believe we have assembled two highly competitive squads, with the depth and quality required to meet the demands of the season and support both Steven Croft and Chris Read.”
Men’s Squad:
James Anderson (CC captain), Tom Aspinwall, Tom Bailey, George Balderson, Charlie Barnard, George Bell, Jack Blatherwick, Josh Bohannon, Jos Buttler (T20), Paul Coughlin, Ajeet Singh Dale, Rocky Flintoff, Chris Green, Tom Hartley, Marcus Harris (CC/ODC), Matthew Hurst, Michael Jones, Keaton Jennings (T20 captain), Liam Livingstone (T20), Saqib Mahmood (T20, with CC option), Joe Moores, Phil Salt, Arav Shetty, Harry Singh, Mitch Stanley, Ollie Sutton, Keshana Fonseka, Luke Wells, Luke Wood (T20)
Women’s Squad:
Ellie Threlkeld (captain), Olivia Bell, Alice Clarke, Danielle Collins, Kate Cross, Darcey Carter, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Grace Johnson, Eve Jones, Hannah Jones, Tilly Kesteven, Emma Lamb, Meg Lanning (T20), Gaby Lewis (ODC), Ailsa Lister, Fi Morris, Sophie Morris, Tara Norris, Grace Potts, Seren Smale
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