Keaton Jennings replaces Dane Vilas as Lancashire captain

South African stalwart Vilas has stepped down from the role but will remain at Lancashire as an overseas player in 2023

Lancashire have named Keaton Jennings as their new captain after Dane Vilas stepped down from the role.

Vilas, the South African stalwart, has held the position for the last four years; he led the county back into the top tier of the County Championship at the first time of asking and thereafter came close on two occasions to winning the Division One title, as well as reaching T20 Blast Finals Day twice, losing the 2022 final in dramatic fashion.

The 37-year-old will remain as one of Lancashire's overseas players in 2023.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to lead this great county for the past four seasons," he said, "but I feel that the time is now right to step back from the role and allow Keaton to build on the superb job which he started during last season's One-Day Cup."

England opener Jennings skippered Lancashire during last year's Royal London Cup, taking Lancashire all the way to the final, where they were beaten at Trent Bridge by Kent. He replaced Vilas in the role for the tournament because of injury and has signed a one-year contract extension, while becoming the county's 37th permanent men's captain.

Jennings, who is beginning his sixth year at Lancashire after joining from Durham, was part of the England squad that toured Pakistan over the winter after topping the run-scoring charts in Division One of the County Championship in 2022.

^{Dane Vilas has stepped down as Lancashire captain (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

"On behalf of the entire squad, I would like to thank Dane for his commitment to the job and the backing which he has shown to each of us during his four seasons as captain," said Jennings.

"He has been a massive part of my development as a leader, and I know that I will still be able to call on his experience in the dressing room."

Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple added: "Firstly, I would like to thank Dane for captaining with the club with pride and dedication during the last four seasons.

"As a coaching team, we fully support his decision and feel it is a true testament to Dane's character that he has made the selfless decision to step down with the team's best interests at the forefront of his mind. We look forward to continuing to work with Dane as one of our senior players.

"I am delighted that Keaton has accepted our offer to become the new club captain and we are all confident that he will do an excellent job."

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