Struggling performances at Old Trafford and leadership lapses: Examining Lancashire's decline and status as the poorest team in the County Championship
Lancashire's Abysmal Start in Division Two:
After the initial five rounds of the County Championship, Lancashire finds itself languishing at the bottom of Division Two, having yet to secure a victory this season. For a club steeped in history and with resources that other teams in the division can only dream of, this significant slump is their rock bottom.
A devastating turning point occurred against Northants, where Lancashire surrendered a commanding position. Despite having six Northants batsmen dismissed and a 102-run lead going into day three, Northants managed to reverse the advantage by ending their innings with a 235-run lead, thanks to No.9 Ben Sanderson's memorable 65 scored off just 28 deliveries. A self-destructive batting collapse from 116-2 to 165 all out in the fourth innings sealed their 70-run defeat.
Rumors swirled that head coach Dale Benkenstein would shoulder the blame, but it was Keaton Jennings who unexpectedly stepped down as Lancashire captain instead. Australian abroad Marcus Harris, who has already amassed an impressive 749 runs at an average of 83.22 this season, has stepped up to assume the leadership role, having only played five matches for the club. However, an uphill battle awaits to rectify the team's rapidly deteriorating situation and appease the growing discontent among their fanbase.
From Potential Relegation Favourites to Division Two Underachievers
Lancashire was relegated last year after they finished ninth in Division One. Despite only winning three games throughout the 2024 season, they were firm favourites to make a swift return to the top division. The prospect of James Anderson's availability, Harris's arrival, and their reputation meant the possibility of more than one year in the second division was highly improbable.
On paper, Lancashire boasts the strongest batting lineup in Division Two. Jennings has averaged a staggering four figures of runs per season over the last three, while Josh Bohannon was Division One's leading run-scorer in 2023. The addition of Harris to the already formidable batting order, along with promising young talents George Balderson and Matty Hurst, promises a potent offensive attack. The promised return of Anderson would further strengthen their bowling attack, which had previously struggled to take 20 wickets.
The seeds of Lancashire's struggles can be traced back to their performance in the 2023 Championship, where they finished in a disappointing fifth place. Five draws out of their 14 games left many questioning their ability to compete, and their sole home win that season occurred at Southport. This pattern has continued into the 2025 season, with all three matches played at Old Trafford so far ending in draws, a stark contrast from the expectation of their fortress ground serving as the foundation for winning campaigns.
The Struggles of Dale Benkenstein
Dale Benkenstein's appointment as head coach in 2024 didn't bring the usual fanfare associated with new coaches. After a spell as a batting coach in 2021, when Lancashire finished second in the Bob Willis Trophy, his first stint as a full-time coach was less successful. In his debut season in charge of Gloucestershire, they ended up at the bottom of Division One, followed by a disappointing stint in Division Two without a single win in 2023. Across his two seasons with Gloucestershire before returning to Lancashire, Benkenstein oversaw merely two red-ball wins.
The 2024 season tested Benkenstein's patience, with Lancashire claiming the unwanted title of last place in their One-Day Cup group. They were also defeated comprehensively by Sussex in the T20 Blast quarterfinals. 18 months into his tenure, Benkenstein has managed to win only three Championship games from 19.
Following the defeat against Northants, Benkenstein appeared disheartened. "We haven't been good enough," he admitted in an interview on Lancs TV. "When you have those sort of positions, we've got to be ruthless and nail them. That comes down to each individual's contribution in the middle."
The defeat pushed Jennings to relinquish his captaincy, although Benkenstein's position remains questionable as each defeat further erodes his tenure. Growing dissatisfaction from members and concerns about CEO Daniel Gidney's position at the club add to the pressure. However, amidst the despair, there is a glimmer of hope. Despite occupying the last position in the table, Lancashire is only 15 points behind third-placed Middlesex, and a win against Derbyshire could offer a much-needed change in fortune.
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In the midst of Lancashire's dismal performance in Division Two, fans might also be interested in European-leagues action such as the Premier-League, where high-scoring football games and unexpected twists are common. Meanwhile, cricket news from elsewhere in the world, like sports updates about football matches and Union drop-kicks, serve as a welcome distraction from Lancashire's struggles.
