Chapple expects Moores harmony

Captain Glen Chapple thinks Lancashire can recapture success under Peter Moores

Peter Moores can expect strong opinions and co-operation when he sets to work as Lancashire’s new coach alongside rookie captain Glen Chapple.

Moores was unveiled in his new role at Old Trafford yesterday, little more than a month after his departure from England following an apparent breakdown of his working relationship with then national captain Kevin Pietersen.

The experience has underlined for everyone at Lancashire the importance of the key relationship between captain and coach.

And evergreen all-rounder Chapple was quick to outline his attitude towards the captain-coach relationship.

“I’m quite opinionated but also quite co-operative at the same time,” he said.

Chapple, 12 years younger than Moores, has just a little more than first impressions - as a tough opponent - to go on. But he senses he and the former Sussex coach will work well together as Lancashire strive for a first outright county championship title since 1934.

“The players are all really up for it and excited,” Chapple said.

“Peter and I need to sit down and talk about things, and the key is that we sing from the same hymn sheet.

“I’m sure we’ll see eye to eye on a lot of things, and it will be a partnership.

“From what I can gather, he is the kind of coach who will take a lot of pressure off the captain - and as a new captain, that is obviously a good thing.”

The attributes which brought Moores to England’s attention have long been evident from afar to Chapple. “We’ve played against one another quite a bit, and obviously he was coach of a successful team - so there was a bit of rivalry there,” he remembers.

“We know each other well enough not to be uncomfortable round one another - which is a good starting point.

“We have obviously got someone who can inspire the lads. Maybe we’re looking for that little extra step - and maybe we can chase a little bit more success.”

Moores is predictably like-minded, at this earliest of stages.

“I will sit down with Glen and the players and get a feel for where the club is at,” he confirmed.

“I will be very interested to get his views as a new captain. I’ve got a pretty clear idea how coaches and captains work.

“Coaches are responsible for the preparation of the team, and they can take a lot of pressure off the captain in that process.

“Then when you play, the captain is responsible for leading that team.”