Lancs head for South Africa

Lancashire’s first-team squad will gear up for the new domestic season by undertaking a 12-day training camp in Cape Town.

Departing on March 19, the squad will play a minimum of five matches: four against South African opposition and either two limited-over fixtures or one two-day match against Durham.

The players have had a head start on their county rivals, returning for pre-season training on February 5 – one month before any other club.

Manager Mike Watkinson and his staff designed a special programme, which has included batting and fielding sessions at Old Trafford, intensive fitness workouts at David Lloyd Leisure, cross country training at Rivington – plus one on one player analysis and coaching.

Mark Chilton leads Lancashire in South Africa © Getty Images

Squad

Michael Baer, Karl Brown, Glen Chapple, Mark Chilton (captain), Steven Croft, Gareth Cross, Dominic Cork, Kyle Hogg, Paul Horton, Gary Keedy, Stuart Law (vice captain), Mal Loye, Simon Marshall, Steven Mullaney, Oliver Newby, Iain Sutcliffe, Luke Sutton.

Itinerary

March 19: Depart Manchester
March 20: Arrive Cape Town
March 21-22: Training, Bellville Cricket Club
March 23: Lancashire v Boland XI, Boland Park, Paarl
March 24: Training, Bellville Cricket Club
March 25: Lancashire v Claremont XI, Bellville Cricket Club
March 26: Training, Bellville Cricket Club
March 27-28: Lancashire A v Durham A and Lancashire B v Durham B, Bellville Cricket Club
March 29: Lancashire v Western Province Academy, Green Point Cricket Club
March 30: Lancashire v Western Province CC, Western Province Cricket Club, Rondebosch
March 31: Rest day
April 1: Return to Manchester