As Lancashire prepare to face Essex, veteran skipper Glen Chapple is urging his side to seize the initiative in games rather than rely on their get out of jail card.
The Red Rose have won two of their six LV=County Championship fixtures so far this season, including last month’s late salvo against the Chelmsford-based county at Emirates Old Trafford.
And while Chapple accepts thrilling final day scalps prove the character his side possess, he concedes he would prefer a few wins to be secured in less nail-biting fashion.
“What we’re looking for is to dominate teams from day one,” he said.
“With the points system the way it is, if we can start doing that in a season where you’re looking for eight or nine wins, two or three easy ones release the pressure.
“You don’t want to be scrapping for eight or nine tough ones.”
“I think the one thing we can take from the home match is that we back ourselves in tight situations – that’s something we have over some teams.”
Lancashire currently lie third in LV=County Championship division two, with games in hand on second-placed Worcestershire and leaders Northamptonshire.
And while Peter Moores’ side have played some enterprising cricket on occasions this year, the 39-year-old accepts there are aspects of their overall game which need attention.
“We’ve played good cricket at times, we have been good in the field and we’ve had a competitive spirit,” he added.
“But at the same time, we’ve struggled for big first-innings totals. That’s something we’re targeting and our batters are looking to build a platform.
“If we can improve in that area, we will put teams under pressure in the first innings rather than going into the second on a level playing fielding.
“Batting at the top of the order is more difficult, we have to acknowledge that. When the ball becomes softer and the pace of the pitch slower, batting does become easier.”
The ultimate aim for Lancashire this season is promotion and an immediate return to English domestic cricket’s top-flight.
And despite the need for improvement in some departments, Chapple insists he is comfortable with how the season in progressing.
“I think if we’re honest, we’re in a good position,” he said. “If we pick up our standards to where we want them to be, we’ve got every reason to be optimistic.
“We need to be proactive and see the picture clearly that we can play better. Whilst we’re in a good position, which we’re reasonably happy with, we want to progress.”
Image courtesy of Home of Cricket, via YouTube, with thanks
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