Stephen Parry leaves Lancashire after 16 years at club

Stephen Parry has left Lancashire after 16 years at the county, and will take up a coaching position at the Thunder, the Manchester-based women's regional hub, over the winter.

Parry, the left-arm spinner, is Lancashire's all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, and won seven England white-ball caps between 2014 and 2015 after years of consistent performances in the county game. Most notably, he finished joint-top of the wicket charts in the 2015 T20 Blast alongside team-mate James Faulkner, with the pair leading Lancashire to their only T20 title.

His opportunities in the County Championship were limited by the presence of two other left-arm spinners - Gary Keedy and Simon Kerrigan - in the first team, though he did play 13 games in the 2017 season, taking 25 wickets.

After signing a one-year extension with the club ahead of the 2020 season, Parry was awarded a testimonial year in recognition of his service. While that was blighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the club has agreed to extend it into next summer instead.

Parry made only one first-team appearance in the shortened 2020 summer, taking 1 for 17 in four overs against Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast. He has not officially retired from playing, and will play as a professional for Lowerhouse CC in the Lancashire Leagues next season.

"It has been an honour to represent this great club for such a long period of time," Parry said. "I am truly grateful to everybody at Emirates Old Trafford for their support since I very first walked through the doors. I started representing Lancashire at U-10 level so to graduate through the academy and play for the red rose for 16 years has been a dream come true.

"I feel extremely lucky to have not only represented my boyhood to county but to have also tested myself on the international stage, which would not have been possible without the platform given to me by Lancashire. I am sad to be leaving behind a great dressing room - many who are now friends for life - and I wish nothing but the best for the Club as they move forward with an exciting, young squad."

Paul Allott, Lancashire's director of cricket, said: "His work ethic and love for the club consistently shone through and he has been part of some huge moments, none more so than the 2015 Blast win.

"In recent seasons, Stephen has seen first XI opportunities limited. However, he took on a senior role in the club's Second XI passing on his invaluable experience to our next generation of up and coming players. I know how much he's looking forward to getting involved in a coaching capacity with Thunder and we all agreed that it was important to support him with his extended testimonial year."