Chilton rewarded with benefit

Mark Chilton, a Lancashire stalwart and former captain, has been rewarded for his loyalty with a benefit year in 2011

Lancashire batsman and former captain Mark Chilton has been awarded a benefit year in 2011.

Chilton, 34, born in Sheffield and a product of Manchester Grammar School and Durham University, has played for Lancashire since 1997 and was awarded his county cap five seasons later.

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said: “I am delighted for Mark that he has been given a benefit year.

“He is exactly the type of player such a system was established for; a regular, loyal and uncomplaining player for his county who is prepared to bat in any position if it is for the good of the team.

“He was also captain for a spell when the team was going through a transitional period, and earned the respect of everyone, not least his team-mates.”

Chilton added: “This is a huge honour and I am obviously thrilled that the club has acknowledged me in this way.

“It’s a great privilege to play for such a fantastic team and I would like to thank them for awarding me a benefit.”

Chilton captained Lancashire between 2005 and 2007, taking over from Warren Hegg and leading the side back to Division One of the County Championship. The Lightning also reached the Twenty20 Cup final in his first year in charge, losing to Somerset.

In 2007, Lancashire came within 24 runs of securing their first championship pennant since 1934, but lost out to Sussex by 12 points and finished third overall. Chilton stood down as skipper soon after.

Usually a middle-order batsman, Chilton has scored 25 first-class centuries with a career-high of 131, and is closing in on 9,000 runs.

He was voted Lancashire player of the year in 2009, and has stood in as captain this season in Glen Chapple's absence.