Tom Hartley: Selection headache a nice one to have, says Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein

Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein says it is going to be tough to play two spinners in early season as he awaits the “nice headache” of slotting in new England bowler Tom Hartley.

But the 24-year-old will be competing with Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

“There will be a few headaches trying to get Tom in,” Benkenstein said.

“In April and May, here in Manchester and everywhere else in the country, it’s going to be tough to play two spinners.

“But, who knows, it might be one of those strange summers when the sun comes out. Sometimes April and May can be warm and we might have the option of playing that second spinner.”

England coach Brendon McCullum has already voiced his concern that, after all their success in India, slow left-armer Hartley and 20-year-old Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir will not be first-choice spinners for their respective counties.

McCullum does have some time at his disposal as England are not scheduled to play Test cricket again for four months until the arrival of the West Indies at Lord’s for the first Test on 10 July.

But Benkenstein says he does have a soft spot for spinners.

“I’m a little bit biased towards spin, from my days as a captain,” he added to BBC Radio Lancashire. “So I have to be sure I’m looking at this with analysis and not my heart.

“But the fact is that we do have the option of playing two quality spinners and that’s a nice headache to have.

“It’s great that Tom’s had that opportunity with England in this series and done so well.

“It’s not just his ability as a spin bowler. It’s the all-round package you get with him – his batting, his athleticism. He’s tall, fit and he’s got a really strong character as he showed after he was really under the pump after day one in that first Test.“

Hartley played 10 County Championship games for Lancashire in 2023, taking 19 wickets at an average of 44.84.

It was arguably his batting that was more impressive, scoring 371 runs at an average of 37, with two fifties.

While 36-year-old Lyon – eighth on the all-time list of Test wicket takers on 517 – will most likely be the only spinner in the home attack when Lancashire host county champions Surrey in their opening game, Benkenstein also points out the Red Rose are getting more than just a bowler and wicket taker – but also a spinning mentor.

“Nathan has his own academy,” Benkenstein said. “That shows he has a love of the game, of the art of spin and passing that knowledge on.

“Even if Tom isn’t playing he and our other young spinners have all that time to talk to him and learn from him.”

Dale Benkenstein was talking to BBC Radio Lancashire’s Scott Read.