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Glen Chapple
Glen Chapple
Glen Chapple
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Glen Chapple (born 23 January 1974) is an English cricket coach and former cricketer. He is an all-rounder, and represented the national team in a One Day International, as well as performing well for Lancashire over many years. He bowled right-arm fast-medium, and is a right-handed batsman. With six first-class centuries to his name, Chapple shares with Mark Pettini the record for fastest first-class century, scored against declaration bowling by Glamorgan in 1993, coming off just 27 balls.

Key Information

Chapple played a single One Day International for England, against Ireland in 2006 but was injured after bowling one over. After Stuart Law left the club, Chapple was appointed as Lancashire's captain from the 2009 season onwards and led the county to victory in the 2011 County Championship. That year he became the fifth player to score 7,000 runs and take 700 wickets for Lancashire. In 2012 he was named as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.

Since 2017, Chapple has been the head coach of Lancashire.[1]

Playing career

[edit]

Chapple's most notable achievements include winning the Gold Award for his 6/18 in the 1996 Natwest Trophy final against Essex at Lord's. He shares with Mark Pettini the record for fastest ever first-class century; he scored it against Glamorgan at Old Trafford in 1993 from just 27 balls and 21 minutes, although this was against the bowling of Matthew Maynard and Tony Cottey in an attempt to set up a declaration.[2][3]

Chapple was tipped for a long time for full international honours. After a successful England A tour of India and Bangladesh in 1994–5, in which Chapple topped the first-class bowling averages,[4] Simon Hughes wrote that Chapple "should appear for England this summer".[5] But while a number of other players on the tour, such as Mark Ramprakash, Dominic Cork and Michael Vaughan, went on to experience extensive England careers, Chapple would have to wait eleven years for a single one-day international cap, Lancashire team-mate Peter Martin being preferred to Chapple that summer.[6]

Chapple was named Lancashire's Player of the Year for the 2002 Season.[7] In August 2003, Chapple was one of three uncapped players – along with spin bowler Gareth Batty and batsman Ed Smith – to be selected in the England's 13-man squad from which the final team to face South Africa in the third Test at Trent Bridge would be chosen. According to Geoff Miller, one of the selectors, said the selectors had "picked Gareth Batty and Glen Chapple as extra spin and quick bowling options, both of whom have performed well this season for their respective counties". When he was chosen for the squad, Chapple had taken 27 wickets and averaged 45.18 with the bat for the season.[8] Chapple was not selected for the final eleven.

He was awarded a benefit season by Lancashire in 2004.[9]

After Chapple helped Lancashire win the County Championship Division Two title in 2005, taking 47 wickets at an average of 21.48, he made an impressive start to the 2006 season which saw him take 23 wickets with an average of 21.56 with the ball and 43 with the bat in the opening six Championship matches. Due to his form, Chapple made his international debut on 13 June 2006 against Ireland at Belfast. After bowling four wicketless overs against Ireland, Chapple had to pull out of the squad to face Sri Lanka with an abdominal injury, and has not played for England since. In 2006, he became only the tenth player to achieve the 5,000 run and 500 wicket first-class double for Lancashire.[10]

Chapple has also represented England in the Hong Kong Sixes.[11] He played in the England team that won the tournament in 2003 and again in 2004.[12][13] In 2006, Chapple played in the Sixes team alongside two other Lancashire players, captain Dominic Cork and batsman Mal Loye.[14]

On 31 May 2013, in the game against Gloucestershire at Aigburth, Glen Chapple took his 900th wicket when had Michael Klinger caught by Andrea Agathangelou at second slip. Only Johnny Briggs and Jack Simmons have now scored more runs and taken more wickets for Lancashire than Chapple. James Anderson, who recently claimed his 300th Test wicket against New Zealand Tweeted this tribute, 'Huge congratulations to Glen Chapple on taking his 900th first-class wicket! I've not played with anyone who works harder.'

Captaincy

[edit]

When Stuart Law was released by Lancashire in October 2008, after the season had ended, Chapple replaced him as captain. Speaking of his appointment, Chapple said "it's a privilege to play for such a big county, and an even bigger honour to be captaining the club I've been involved with for the past 18 years. I'm a product of the Lancashire system, and I look forward to leading a very talented squad of players to future success".[15] Despite missing five County Championship matches of the 2009 season through injury, Chapple was named Lancashire's Championship Player of the Year.[16]

You can't really praise him enough. It's not that he takes wickets but he also creates pressure for other people because he goes at under three an over. He's bowled beautifully this year and he's also got the pressure of captaincy so he's great to have in the side. He's worked very hard physically as well to make sure he's kept himself fit and strong to do a role of strike bowler in the side, so all credit to him: he's done a great job. ... He hasn't lost pace, he's got great control, and he moves the ball all the time.

—Lancashire coach Peter Moores, 21 August 2010[17]

Before the start of the 2010 season, Chapple declared his intention to play in every one of Lancashire's matches. However, as he had suffered injuries over the previous three years, coach Peter Moores decided not to pick Chapple for most of Lancashire's 40-over matches and some T20s to maintain his fitness for the County Championship.[18] Although Chapple was injured in July and missed a couple of T20 matches,[19] he recovered quickly enough that he did not miss a fixture of the County Championship.[18]

At the start of 2011, Lancashire were widely tipped to face relegation from the first division of the County Championship.[20] Against Yorkshire in May, Chapple became the fifth Lancashire player to score 7,000 runs and take 700 wickets for the club.[21] Chapple passed the landmark of 800 first-class wickets in May 2011 during a match against Warwickshire. His 800th wicket was that of batsman William Porterfield. Victory in the match sent Lancashire to the top of the County Championship.[22] In the last match of the season, Lancashire won the County Championship for the first time since 1950 when they shared the title.[20] In his fifth over of the match Chapple experienced pain in his right hamstring, and feared he may have torn it. He returned to the field with strapping and on the final day, when he claimed his 800th wicket for Lancashire, he produced what Michael Atherton considered to be his most threatening bowling in a decade.[21] For his efforts in taking Lancashire to the title, Chapple was named as one of Wisden five Cricketers of the Year in 2012. He said "Personally I had a good season but that wouldn't, in itself, be enough normally to win this award. The credit has to go to the players for the way they performed last year. It was a fantastic year for Lancashire and all the lads who played so well have obviously played a big part in me receiving this award."[23]

Lancashire's title defence began with three defeats and two draws in their first five matches of the 2012 County Championship.[24] In a match against Warwickshire in April Chapple jarred his ankle in the field and was on pain killers,[25] and in the return fixture left the field with a side injury but returned to the squad for the next County Championship match.[26][27]

Coaching career

[edit]

In 2014, Chapple was appointed as a bowling coach at Lancashire, while continuing to play. After Ashley Giles left to rejoin Warwickshire, Chapple was appointed as Lancashire's head coach on 17 January 2017.[28] In Chapple's first season as head coach, Lancashire finished second in the County Championship, although a season of struggle followed in 2018 and Lancashire were relegated to Division Two.[29] However, they went unbeaten in the following season and earned an immediate return to Division One.

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Glen Chapple

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from Grokipedia
Glen Chapple (born 23 January 1974) is an English former professional cricketer and coach, renowned as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-handed lower-order batsman who spent his entire playing career with Lancashire County Cricket Club, captaining the side to the County Championship title in 2011. Born in Skipton, Yorkshire, Chapple made his first-class debut for Lancashire in 1992 at the age of 18, quickly establishing himself as a stalwart of the team over a 23-year playing career that ended with his retirement in 2015. In first-class cricket, he amassed 985 wickets at an average of 26.71, including 39 five-wicket hauls and a best of 7-53, while contributing 8,725 runs with six centuries, his highest score being 155. His List A record included 320 wickets at 28.55 and 2,062 runs, highlighted by a best bowling figure of 6-18, and in Twenty20 cricket, he took 68 wickets in 66 matches. Internationally, Chapple earned a single One Day International cap for England in 2006 against Ireland, where he bowled 5 overs without taking a wicket. Chapple's leadership qualities shone through when he was appointed Lancashire captain in 2009, succeeding Stuart Law, and he guided the team to their first in 77 years during the 2011 season, a triumph that earned him recognition as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 2012. Under his captaincy, which lasted until 2014, he became only the fifth player to achieve 7,000 runs and 700 wickets for the county. His benefit season in 2004 raised £450,000 for the club, underscoring his enduring loyalty after joining as a 16-year-old product. After retiring at the end of the 2015 season, Chapple transitioned to the coaching staff and was appointed in 2017 on a three-year , overseeing the team's development until he stepped down in 2023 after 31 years of unbroken service to the club. In October 2025, he was announced as returning to for the 2026 season in the role of senior assistant coach, building on prior short-term involvement with the county. Chapple's career exemplifies dedication to , blending skillful all-round performances with inspirational leadership that left a lasting legacy at .

Early life

Birth and family

Glen Chapple was born on 23 January 1974 in , , . He grew up in nearby Earby, a town straddling the -Yorkshire border, where his family settled after an early move to the region. Chapple came from a family with strong cricketing ties; his father, Mike Chapple, was a professional player in the Lancashire League, representing clubs such as Nelson during Glen's early childhood. Mike's involvement in league provided young Glen with direct exposure to competitive play from around age three or four, fostering his initial interest in the sport and connections within Lancashire's cricket community. Little is publicly documented about his mother or any siblings. The Chapples later returned to Earby, where Glen honed his skills at the local club from age 11, playing against adults by 14. Standing at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) with a right-handed batting stance, Chapple's physical attributes were evident even in his youth, aiding his development as an . This early relocation and familial cricketing environment smoothed his path into Lancashire's at age 12.

Introduction to cricket

Glen Chapple's introduction to began in Earby, , where he grew up after his birth in nearby , , providing him access to the county's scene. Influenced heavily by his father, Mike Chapple, a former League cricketer ineligible to play for due to his birthplace, young Glen received intensive coaching in bowling fundamentals, including swing, practicing for up to two hours each evening at adult speeds. He started playing as a junior at Earby Cricket Club, competing against senior players from an early age, which accelerated his development in a competitive environment. At age 12, in , Chapple entered Lancashire's , beginning a structured pathway toward professional . His potential as a right-arm medium-fast bowler with lower-order batting ability was evident early, earning him selection for an England Under-19 tour to just before his 17th birthday in 1991. This period focused on building his all-round skills through county age-group matches and training. Chapple signed his first professional contract with in 1992, at age 18, and immediately transitioned to senior levels after extensive Second XI experience that refined his pace, swing, and overall match fitness.

Playing career

Domestic career

Glen Chapple made his first-class debut for against at in 1992. Over his 23-year domestic career with the county, he played 315 first-class matches, taking 985 wickets at an average of 26.71. He holds the record for the most first-class wickets for . In , Chapple took 320 wickets across 283 matches at an average of 28.55, while in cricket he claimed 68 wickets in 66 matches at an average of 23.32. A consistent performer in the County Championship, Chapple took 50 or more wickets in four seasons, with his best return of 55 coming in 1994 at an average of 26.80. He scored six first-class centuries for Lancashire, including an unbeaten 112 during the 2011 County Championship-winning campaign. One of his most notable batting performances came in 1993 against Glamorgan, when he scored a century off just 27 balls in 20 minutes—the fastest first-class hundred by an Englishman. Chapple retired from first-class cricket at the end of the 2015 season after 23 years with Lancashire.

International career

Chapple earned his sole international cap after a strong run of domestic form for Lancashire, including taking seven wickets against Sussex in early June 2006, which prompted his surprise inclusion in the England ODI squad at the age of 32. He received England ODI cap number 191 for his debut appearance. His only international match came on 13 June 2006 against Ireland at Stormont, Belfast, where England batted first and posted 301 for 7, led by Marcus Trescothick's 113. Batting at number 8, Chapple contributed a quick 14 runs off 7 balls, including a four and a six, before being caught off the final over of the innings. With the ball, he delivered four overs, conceding 26 runs without taking a wicket, as his debut was cut short by an abdominal strain that forced him to leave the field. Despite the injury, England secured a 38-run victory, with Ireland finishing on 263 for 9. Chapple had no further international appearances in ODIs, Tests, or T20Is, despite consistent county performances and prior experience on England A tours, including a standout 20-wicket haul on the 1994-95 tour of . He is often regarded as one of the unluckiest players of his generation not to earn more caps for , given his reliability as an over more than a decade.

Captaincy

Appointment and tenure

Chapple was appointed as Lancashire's captain ahead of the 2009 season, succeeding Stuart Law who had led the side for just one year following Mark Chilton's tenure. His selection reflected his long-standing service to the club since his debut in and his reputation as a reliable capable of guiding the team through competitive seasons. During his five-year tenure from 2009 to 2014, Chapple's leadership emphasized team unity, a strong work ethic, and tactical decision-making, often leading by example as the senior seamer in the bowling attack. He built confidence among players by fostering trust and respect within the squad, which helped maintain morale amid fluctuating fortunes. Chapple faced significant challenges, including the team's relegation from County Championship Division One in 2012—the year after their title win—and again in 2014, as well as managing personal and team injuries that disrupted consistency. Despite these hurdles, he balanced captaincy demands with his own performances, claiming over 50 wickets in both the 2010 and 2011 Championship seasons while recovering from issues like a hip injury in 2011. In October 2014, Chapple stepped down from the captaincy to transition into a role, allowing him to concentrate more on his playing contributions in his final seasons. He was succeeded by all-rounder Tom Smith in 2015, marking the end of his leadership era at the club.

Achievements and legacy

Under Glen Chapple's captaincy, achieved their first title in 77 years in 2011, ending a since 1934 with a dramatic final-day eight-wicket victory over at to clinch the crown. Chapple led from the front, capturing 57 first-class wickets at an average of 19.75, including key contributions in the decisive match. Chapple's tenure also saw Lancashire secure promotion from Division Two in 2013 and reach the quarter-finals of the in 2014, building on earlier limited-overs progress during his leadership from 2009 to 2014. In his final playing season, he contributed to the county's 2015 title win, appearing in five matches during that successful campaign. In recognition of his pivotal role in the 2011 triumph and his all-round excellence, Chapple was named one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 2012, honored specifically for his leadership and bowling prowess that season. Chapple's legacy at endures as a symbol of unwavering loyalty, having spent his entire 24-year playing career and subsequent coaching tenure solely with the county, amassing over 980 first-class wickets and inspiring a generation of players through his dedication and resilience. His contributions were commemorated with a guard of honor at upon his playing retirement in 2015, cementing his status as a club icon.

Coaching career

Roles at Lancashire

Following his retirement from full-time playing in 2015, Glen Chapple transitioned into coaching at , where he was appointed first-team coach under head coach ahead of the 2015 season while continuing to play on a part-time basis. In this role, Chapple emphasized the development of pace bowling talent, leveraging his own expertise as one of the county's most prolific fast bowlers to mentor emerging seamers like , who credited Chapple's guidance for his improved performance and leading wicket-taking form in that year. Chapple was promoted to head coach on 17 January 2017, succeeding on a three-year contract. In his first season, he guided to second place in Division One of the , finishing just behind on the final day. His tenure saw mixed fortunes in the longer format, including relegation from Division One in 2018 after failing to secure a crucial batting bonus point in their final match against , followed by an immediate return as Division Two champions in 2019, where they secured promotion with an victory over . Under Chapple's , Lancashire also achieved notable success in limited-overs , reaching Finals Day at the Vitality Blast three times, including a semi-final appearance in 2018—where they were defeated by eventual winners —and a runner-up finish in the 2022 final, losing by one run to in a dramatic last-ball thriller. His prior experience as playing from 2009 to 2014 aided this transition, providing continuity in team strategy and . Chapple stepped down as head coach at the end of the 2023 season, concluding a 31-year association with that began with his debut in 1992, stating it was the right time to pursue other coaching opportunities and allow for fresh direction at the club. He was succeeded by , who was appointed in December 2023.

Roles at Northamptonshire

In July 2025, Glen Chapple joined as a short-term bowling coach, stepping in to support the team's unit during the second half of the season following the departure of previous coach Rory Kleinveldt. This interim role, announced on 11 July, was initially set to run until the end of the month but extended to cover the remainder of the campaign, allowing Chapple to apply his expertise in pace bowling development amid 's efforts in the Division Two. On 29 October 2025, Chapple's involvement was formalized with a one-year contract as senior assistant coach for the 2026 season, serving under head coach . In this expanded position, his responsibilities include player development, match preparation, and direct assistance to Lehmann, with a focus on elevating the team's performance to secure promotion from Division Two. Chapple's appointment marks a return to Northamptonshire after a brief prior stint, bringing his extensive experience from Lancashire—where he concluded his head coaching tenure at the end of the 2023 season—to bolster the club's promotion ambitions. Lehmann praised Chapple's immediate impact on the group during 2025, noting his role in fostering a competitive environment.

References

  1. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/4/4232/4232.html
  2. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/glen-chapple-10712
  3. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/wisden-cricketers-of-the-year-2012-glen-chapple-560804
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/38643555
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66951370
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cglgnpl7n6po
  7. https://www.the-independent.com/sport/chapple-on-fast-track-1617626.html
  8. https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/cricket/big-interview-glen-chapple-746980
  9. https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/538/glen-chapple
  10. https://www.wisden.com/wisden-cricketers-almanack/glen-chapple-the-leader-who-inspired-lancashire-to-county-championship-glory
  11. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/never-giving-up-250331
  12. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerID=3394
  13. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-ireland-2006-224899/ireland-vs-england-only-odi-225171/full-scorecard
  14. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-great-uncapped-400461
  15. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/county-news-glen-chapple-to-lead-lancashire-again-543844
  16. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/25303508
  17. https://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/22364256/glen-chapple-lead-lancashire-again
  18. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/glen-chapple-still-key-for-lancashire-s-revival-627497
  19. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/29536853
  20. https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/glen-chapple-foremost-unsung-heroes-of-english-cricket-6417/
  21. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/14031229
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/feb/11/tom-smith-lancashire-captain-glen-chapple
  23. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/county-cricket-bright-future-for-lancashire-chapple-532650
  24. https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/club/history-of-the-club/relegation-and-promotion-2012-2014/
  25. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/34411817
  26. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/cricket/lancashire-captain-glen-chapple-named-3347066
  27. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/glen-chapple-ends-31-year-association-as-he-stands-down-as-lancashire-head-coach-1400451
  28. https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2023-news/club-statement-glen-chapple/
  29. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/33093742
  30. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/38643555
  31. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-div-one-2017-1068074/points-table-standings
  32. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/45638406
  33. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/49709304
  34. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/62190334
  35. https://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/39104104/dale-benkenstein-joins-lancashire-head-coach
  36. https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/northamptonshire-premium/ex-lancashire_head_coach_glen_chapple_joins_northants_backroom_staff.html
  37. https://x.com/NorthantsCCC/status/1943650073448972682
  38. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cglgnpl7n6po
  39. https://nccc.co.uk/news/glen-chapple-joins-northamptonshire-as-senior-assistant-coach/
  40. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/other-sport/former-lancashire-boss-chapple-named-new-senior-assistant-coach-at-northants-5379813
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