Croft leads Lancashire Championship bid

That’s Steven Croft in his first full campaign as Lancashire Cricket Club captain.

The Ansdell-based Croft will lead his side in their bid to cement their place in the top flight of county cricket following promotion in 2015.

Croft joined his team-mates at the county’s media open day at Old Trafford.

And the Red Rose have already received a boost

England fast bowler Jimmy Anderson will be available for their first three County Championship matches

And it has set up a truly intriguing clash.

Lancashire’s first match back in division one is against Notts on April 17 at Old Trafford.

Spearheading the Notts attack will be Anderson’s England team-mate Stuart Broad.

In addition, Anderson has been given dispensation by the England Cricket Board for the next two Championship matches, against Somerset and Hampshire.

Anderson joined up with his county colleagues for the media open day at Old Trafford.

It’s a big season too for Poulton’s Toby Lester, the promising left-hand seamer awarded a contract last summer.