New role for ex-Lancashire all-rounder Smith

Smith will assist head coach Stephen Titchard in leading Lancashire Thunder this summer for the second season of the Kia Super League.

The 31 year-old recently retired from professional cricket due to injury having made nearly 300 appearances for Lancashire in all competitions. He was named Player of the Year in 2014 and was rewarded with England Lions recognition before fulfilling a childhood dream by being named Lancashire Captain in March 2015.

Smith said: “I said when I retired that I wanted to stay in the game because I know there’s still a lot that I can give back to the sport.

“I am doing my coaching badges and have spent quite a lot of time working with Gary Yates with the Lancashire Academy which I have enjoyed.

“Women’s cricket is really starting to thrive and I’m massively excited by what’s to come in this year’s Kia Super League. It’s fantastic to see that Sky Sports will be broadcasting fixtures live this summer which will only help grow the game to new audiences.

“There are some fantastically talented and young cricketers in the Lancashire Thunder squad and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it this summer”.

Bobby Cross, general manager of Lancashire Thunder added, “It was a fairly straight forward decision to get Tom involved with our squad this summer after he announced his retirement from the game last month.

“He has a wealth of experience that our players can tap in to and his commitment to Lancashire has been second to none over the last decade. He’s been coaching the Lancashire Academy in recent times and there are few better for our girls to learn off than Tom.”

Jen Barden, who was previously assistant coach, has now taken on the role of Lancashire Thunder Regional Development Centre head coach, supporting the next generation of players coming through.

Details have now been confirmed for Smith's celebration dinner which will take place on July 23 as Lancashire Lightning take on Durham Jets in the NatWest T20 Blast at Emirates Old Trafford.

Former Lancashire team-mate James Anderson and Graeme Swann have both been confirmed as guest speakers for the evening in The Point.

Tickets are available from £55 with tables of ten priced at £500. Tickets are available from lccc.co.uk/tickets.