LANCASHIRE has confirmed that Dale Benkenstein has joined the county’s coaching staff as batting coach on a short-term contract.

Benkenstein, a former South Africa international and prolific county cricket run-scorer with Durham, was due to join the county last year before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. He was part of the coaching team as Lancashire beat Sussex last week in the LV=County Championship clash at Hove.

Previously head coach at Hampshire, the 46-year-old has also served as South Africa’s batting coach after a playing career which yielded nearly 16,000 First-Class runs in addition to over 9,000 runs in limited-overs cricket.

He played in 23 One-Day Internationals for his country before moving to Durham ahead of the 2005 season, leading them to their maiden County Championship crown in 2008, also featuring in their second consecutive title win a year later.

As coach of Hampshire, the 46-year-old led the Club to two Vitality Blast Finals Days and secured a promotion back to the top tier of the County Championship. He has also coached at South African side Dolphins.

Lancashire’s director of cricket, Paul Allott, said: “We were looking to add some additional expertise to the coaching team and Dale brings a wealth of experience to the changing room.

“He is highly respected in county cricket following his time as a player at Durham and then coaching at Hampshire. To add that knowledge into our dressing room can only be a good thing as we look to build on our positive start to the season.”

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