Lancashire County Cricket Club has appointed Paul Farbrace as their new director of cricket following a challenging 2026 season that marked the county’s lowest finish in its 161-year history. Farbrace, a former Sri Lanka national team coach and assistant coach with England, will take charge at Old Trafford as Lancashire aim to rebuild after a disappointing campaign in the County Championship.
Lancashire ended the 2026 season second from bottom in the Second Division, finishing 17th out of 18 teams across both divisions. This placement represents the club's worst performance since its establishment as a first-class cricket team. The underwhelming results prompted the club to seek new leadership to steer the team back to competitiveness.
Farbrace joins Lancashire from Sussex, where he served as head coach. In the same season, he led Sussex to a third-place finish in the Championship First Division. His tenure there was notable for overcoming a 12-point deduction imposed early in the season due to the county accepting an emergency financial bailout loan from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The appointment of Farbrace signals Lancashire’s intent to leverage his extensive coaching experience at international and county level. His prior roles have included coaching with England and leading Sri Lanka, bringing a broad strategic perspective to the position of director of cricket.
As Lancashire look to reverse their fortunes, Farbrace’s leadership will be closely watched by supporters and stakeholders, with expectations high for improved performances in the upcoming seasons.