Chilton retains Lancs captaincy

Chilton celebrates Lancashire's County Championship Division Two title success in 2005

Lancashire have announced that Mark Chilton will captain the club again for the 2007 season.

It will be the 30-year-old’s third term in charge and he will hope to go one better than last season when he led the Old Trafford club to second spot in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship and to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy final.

Chilton said: “It is a great honour. I have enjoyed the job thoroughly and I continue to learn and to improve.

“We were close to winning things last season and the objective now is clear, to go that one step further.”

Manager Mike Watkinson added: “Mark works tirelessly on and off the field, and is respected throughout the game for his leadership qualities.

"He is a deep-thinking and courteous person, but he also has a steely inner nature and is never fazed by tough situations or bullish characters in the game and he never shies away from difficult decisions.”

“Out in the middle Mark is determined to lead from the front. He remains hugely ambitious, for the club and for himself.”

In his first season as county captain Chilton lead Lancashire to the 2005 Frizzell County Championship Division Two title as well as the final of the Twenty20 Cup.