Chapple’s new captain as Law leaves Lancs

Oct 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LANCASHIRE captain Stuart Law will not be returning to Old Trafford in 2009.

The club said yesterday that it had decided not to renew the 39-year-old Queenslander’s contract and that Glen Chapple will take over as skipper.

On making the announcement, Lancashire’s chief executive Jim Cumbes cited the county’s desire to give opportunities to younger players and Law’s involvement with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) as factors in the decision.

But it is also likely that the outspoken ex-skipper’s outburst against the cricket committee over the decision to release Dominic Cork will not have endeared him to officials at Old Trafford.

The player himself is currently playing in the ICL but is on record as saying that he wanted to return to Lancashire for a second season in charge.

“Stuart has been a top class player and has served us superbly,” said Cumbes. “But the club is committed to giving younger members of the squad the opportunity to grow and the Cricket Committee felt the time was right for other players to take on added responsibilities.”

Law was Lancashire’s second highest run-getter in County Championship matches last season, scoring 704 runs at an average of 37.05, a total that was only exceeded by Paul Horton with 966. Some might argue that this makes his release hard to justify on purely cricketing grounds.

However, the Australian’s involvement with the ICL made it difficult for Lancashire to be sure that he would be allowed to play for them next season under new ECB rules, and it seems certain that the county would not be allowed to enter the money-spinning Champions League with Law in their side.

Cumbes said: “Although not a determining factor, any player’s allegiance to the ICL does make it dfficult for English counties, simply because the ECB are tightening regulations on unauthorised competitions, as are the ICC.”

Law joined Lancashire in 2002 and was player of the year in 2003. During his time with the club he scored almost 12,000 runs in all competitions and his final century for Lancashire, an unbeaten 158 against Sussex at Hove, was a magnificent demonstration of his temperament and class.

The teak-hard Australian was also a formative influence on many of the younger players at Old Trafford, a fact acknowledged by cricket manager Mike Watkinson yesterday.

“Stuart was one of my first signings and has always given great service to the club,” he said. “He is a quality player who takes great pride in passing on his knowledge to anyone who needs a helping hand. He is highly respected in the dress-ing room and popular with members and supporters. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

Skipton-born Chapple, 34, takes on the captaincy after taking 42 first-class wickets in 2008 and being named Championship player of the year. He is the longest-serving player at Old Trafford, having made his debut in 1992.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted and proud to be named as captain of Lancashire. It’s privilege to play for such a big county and an even bigger honour to be captaining a county I’ve been involved with for the past 18 years.”