George Balderson: Lancashire all-rounder aims for more pace to make next step

George Balderson has taken 66 first-class wickets at an average of 34

Lancashire all-rounder George Balderson hopes to find more pace with his bowling as he aims to kick on following a breakthrough summer.

Balderson, 23, scored 702 runs and took 23 wickets in the Championship as he cemented his place in the Red Rose XI.

Those performances earned him a place on the England Lions training camp in the United Arab Emirates.

"Trying to put a bit more speed on with the ball is a real focus of what I want to do," he said.

Balderson flies out with the Lions to the UAE for their three-week trip on 16 November. There is no competitive cricket, but players will have the chance to impress coaches and work on their games.

The former England Under-19s player said he was surprised to get the call-up.

"I knew that I had a good season but I thought that I might have to produce another good season before I got the opportunity for this sort of thing," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's a reward for some hard work and it's a chance now to improve even more."

Only Tom Bailey and Will Williams took more Championship wickets for Lancashire in 2023 than George Balderson

'More wicket-taking threat'

Balderson is one of 10 new faces in the 21-strong group, who impressed with their performances during the county season.

Emphasis will be placed on red-ball skills and for Balderson, that means working on trying to find an extra yard of pace.

With the bat, the left-hander struck his maiden century in a draw at Warwickshire and finished the year with an average of just over 50 in the Championship.

His 23 wickets came at 34 in the Championship and he is determined to nail down his spot as Lancashire's first-change seamer.

"There is a little bit on my action I can do," he said. "I've got a long delivery stride. I want to be a bit taller at the crease.

"Strength work is always a work on for me, I've always been a fit lad and a good runner but in terms of strength, I've got a slight frame.

"I'm never going to be a big lad but if I can get a bit stronger, especially on my back foot at the crease, hopefully that can help me."

Balderson believes that any extra speed would be particularly welcome at Old Trafford, where Lancashire drew all five of their Championship matches played there in 2023.

"It doesn't make a massive difference away from home but when we're playing games at Old Trafford, the pitches get flat and you're looking for someone with that X-factor, a top-class spinner, a bit of pace, reverse swing.

"I think I could make a bit of a difference there and maybe change my role from being a holding bowler to being a little bit more of a genuine wicket-taking threat throughout the day."