Chapple key to Lancs revival - Watky

12:39pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson has hailed his veteran seamer Glen Chapple for helping to revive his side’s County Championship hopes.

Former England one-day international Chapple, pictured, is currently in sparkling form with the new ball, having taken 13 wickets in his last two matches.

The 34-year-old, who played once for his country in 2006, has been the star performer in the consecutive wins against Sussex and Hampshire.

And he is primed to up the ante when Hampshire visit Old Trafford today for the reverse LV Division fixture.

Chapple missed four out of the first six Championship games, but returned from a groin injury mid-way through the Twenty20 Cup campaign last month.

Lancashire were third bottom in the table when they travelled south to face Sussex, the current county champions, at Hove straight off the back of the 20-over competition at the start of July.

Chapple claimed seven wickets in the match, including 6-58 in the second innings, before claiming six at the Rose Bowl last weekend.

And Watkinson said: “Chappie has just shown how valuable he is in games like the last two that we have had. We missed him at the start of the season. He is a skilful bowler, and he is a clever bowler as well.

“He makes good plans for opposition batsmen, he swings the new ball and then comes back later in the game – and is always a threat. He is just a fabulous pro.”

Lancashire wicketkeeper Luke Sutton also recently hailed Chapple’s contribution to a side who are now just nine points behind leaders Durham.

Sutton said Chapple was getting “better and better” and that Lancashire would be a “weakened side” without him.

Chapple’s form takes on even more significance due to the fact that Andrew Flintoff will not play against rock-bottom Hampshire because he is back with England.

And that leaves Watkinson and captain Stuart Law with the decision of who to bring in. Kyle Hogg would be the like-for-like replacement for Freddie, while Oliver Newby could play.

Watkinson added: “The way we are working in the field, the disciplines, the plans, the bowlers are bowling in good areas, I think it puts a lot of pressure on the opposition.

“We have lost the toss in the last couple of games, but we have put that behind us and battled on. In the second innings of each game, the business end, we have been outstanding.”

Fit-again Mal Loye has been left out of the 13-man squad.