Who will replace Liam Livingstone as Lancashire captain?

The search is on for Livingstone's replacement, and there are five names from the current squad who could potentially replace him as Lancashire captain

Liam Livingstone stepped down from his role as Lancashire captain on Monday after a disappointing season in which the county were relegated to Divison 2, and he failed to consistently score runs.

The Cumbrian felt he needed to focus on regaining the sparkling form which saw him given an England call-up in 2017, and the search is now on for his replacement.

Unless Lancashire give the captaincy to a yet unannounced signing, the new man will come from the current squad of players, and of that group there are five names (in no order) who could be in with a shout of getting it.

Dane Vilas

The South African who joined Lancashire in 2017 is the overwhelming favourite to get the nod, having captained the county several times last year in the absence of Livingstone.

He was the standout performer with the bat in the County Championship for the Red Rose, as he scored 792 at an average of 37.71, including a brilliant unbeaten 235 against Somerset - the highest score by any batsman last season.

Added to this is the fact that he is by far one of the most experienced players in the squad, and has featured in six Tests and one T20 for South Africa.

^{Dane Vilas}

Steven Croft

As the man who Livingstone replaced as captain, Steven Croft represents a real outside bet to be the next Lancashire captain. However, considering how badly things went after he gave up the role, there is always the chance that Lancashire might want to try and recapture some of the form that saw them finish 2nd in 2017.

Despite enjoying a testimonial year in 2018, Steven Croft will probably want to forget all about his on-field contribution to Lancashire's efforts to stave off relegation. He scored 276 runs at an average of 21.23.

Alex Davies

A sign of the relatively limited options that Lancashire have to choose from, the relatively inexperienced Alex Davies is a possible candidate for the position.

Having had a breakout year alongside Livingstone in 2017, where he was Lancashire's highest runscorer with 916 runs at an average of 39.92, he also enjoyed a comparatively insipid 2018 and averaged only 30.50.

Considering the form issues that Livingstone endured after taking over the captaincy, Lancashire are unlikely to place the same pressure on one of their other brighter sparks.

^{Alex Davies}

Tom Bailey

To say Tom Bailey's 2018 was somewhat unprecedented would be an understatement. While he enjoyed a respectable 2017, taking 25 wickets at an average of 25.16, very few would have bet on him finishing as the leading wicket-taker in Division One the next season.

With 64 wickets at an average of 19.65, Bailey had a sensational season completely at odds with his county's achievements, and was awarded the PCA County Championship Player of the Year Award for 2018.

There is very little chance of Bailey getting the captaincy, and the possibility of him getting it on paper is more a reflection of the relative lack of candidates in the Lancashire squad.

Graham Onions

At 36, the former Durham bowler is by far the oldest and most experienced member of Lancashire's squad, which could be to his advantage if he did want the job.

Signing at the start of the 2018 season, Onions finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Divison One with 57 wickets at an average of 21.77.

His very advanced years mean it is unlikely that he will get the role. However, his 9 Tests for England make him one of the most decorated players who regularly features for the Red Rose, and that must count for something.

^{Graham Onions}