LANCASHIRE skipper Tom Smith must take an individual approach to captaining the Red Rose ahead of the new season, believes spinner Simon Kerrigan.

The England international believes Chorley’s Smith, who has taken over from Glen Chapple, will do a good job of leading the side as Lancashire target an immediate return to the County Championship first division.

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But Kerrigan wants to ensure that Smith stamps his authority on the role.

“The important thing for Tom is that he has got to do it his way,” said Kerrigan.

“There’s enough senior players around him – Crofty (Tom Croft), Horts (Paul Horton), Ashwell (Prince), Alviro (Petersen) and even myself – those of us who have played enough cricket to be able to, firstly, know our own games and help him out as well.

“At the end of the day, we’re all professional cricketers who should know our plans and fields. It’s just getting them aligned with what Tom wants.

“But it could easily happen that you’ve got loads of advice and you’re not sure what to do.

“It’s important that he does it his way because if you lose a few games having not done it your way, it’s still on you anyway.”

Kerrigan believes Smith, who impressed for Lancashire in 2014, a season which ended with him claiming the club’s player of the year award, can lead by example.

“He’s a great lad, Tom, and he’s got everyone’s backing,” Kerrigan told the club’s official website.

“It’s going to be a bit tricky at the start because it will be something new to him, but Chappie would tell you as well that after only a few games, you learn a lot about yourself as a leader.

“I think he will be a person who leads from the front without being cliched.

“That shows in the Championship when he wants the ball. With the bat in one-day cricket, he takes it to them up front.

“I know from personal experience that when he’s bowling well, it boosts you because you want to maintain that momentum from the team.

“I’m sure we’ll also be able to feel comfortable giving our opinion to him. I don’t think he’s the type of person who is ‘my way or the highway’.”