Jason Kayley's daily sports blog.

LANCASHIRE’S cricket committee have either been at the sherry or they have greater intestinal fortitude than I gave them credit for.

Getting shot of two of their most experienced players, Dominic Cork and former captain Stuart Law, in an end-of-season cull is a brave move to say the least.

After a season in which Lancashire were battling at the wrong end of the table, the powers that be at Old Trafford have decided to ring the changes and dispense with two of their senior players and give youth a chance.

The committee have clearly played their hand but we’re all now waiting with baited breath to see what comes out on the flop.

I think it’s good that Lancashire is putting its faith in youth.

It will appease the Lancashire members and give the side a new emphasis. Every Lancastrian worth his salt will want a team filled with homegrown players instead of recruiting from outside.

But you have to ask yourself; if these players were that good, wouldn’t they be in the side anyway?

Players like Tom Smith, Oliver Newby, Gareth Cross etc have all had tastes of first team action. But due numerous factors, including to the return of the club’s international players, all with the exception of Steven Croft have failed to nail down a regular place.

As far as I’m concerned if you’re old enough you’re good enough and if the young guns had been churning out the performances, they would have been in the side come what may.

And the cold, harsh reality is that the young players haven’t.

In these days when Kolpak is king in some counties, Lancashire has opted to nurture is budding players in the hope they will blossom into Red Rose greats.

But they will have to grow up and grow up fast if Lancashire are to be competitive.

The man in charge of the new crop of Lancashire stars is Glen Chapple.

Personally, I’m delighted that Chapple has been appointed as Lancashire’s captain.

After starting his career at Ribblesdale League side Earby, Chapple has become one of the most consistent performers on the county circuit and the whole of East Lancashire should be proud.

He will command respect in the Lancashire dressing room and, at 34, he’s been there, seen it and done it.

By therein lies one of the problems. Will the burden of captaincy weight heavy on his shoulders?

Chapple is a major part of the Lancashire attack and weighs in with useful lower order runs I‘m sure the new skipper will believe he could do both jobs well but leading an inexperienced attack as well as trying to stay one step ahead of the opposition is a big ask. He need only ask Andrew Flintoff after the disastrous Ashes tour to Australia!

It will be a test not only of his concentration and fitness but also of his tactical nous, especially as two of his most experienced comrades have now departed.

It’s a gamble and only time will tell whether it will pay off.