BOLTON’S Karl Brown says Lancashire’s bowlers are ready to test themselves against one of the world’s star batsmen when Hashim Amla and Derbyshire visit Southport tomorrow.

The Red Rose, likely to be boosted by the inclusion of Australian all-rounder James Faulkner, are in high spirits after bowling Leicestershire out for 78 to win a heavily rain-affected LV= County Championship clash at Grace Road on Wednesday.

They are 24 points clear at the top of Division Two having won three of their opening five matches, including beating Derbyshire in the opening week of the season.

And they are confident of overcoming the threat posed by South Africa Test captain Amla, a man with 23 hundreds from 82 Test matches to his name.

Opening batsman Amla did not play against Lancashire at the County Ground last month because he has only just replaced New Zealander Martin Guptill for a short spell as the county’s overseas player.

“It’s only one ball to get him out. He’s one of the best players in world cricket, but we don’t fear anyone to be honest. We’d back ourselves against anyone,” said batsman Brown.

“Leicestershire gives everybody a lot of confidence knowing what you can do. It would be great to back that up with another win.”

Lancashire bowled badly in the first innings at Grace Road, but recovered in spectacular fashion on day four to reduce the hosts, chasing 323 in 59 overs, to 29-7 and 41-8 during an action-packed afternoon.

“You don’t get many of those sessions throughout your career, and it’s even better when you do it to win a game having only got 50-odd overs to play with,” said Brown.

“We did it in 30-odd, so it just shows how well we bowled. It was one of those days where everything went for us. It was an awesome display.”

Brown played his first Championship match of the season at Grace Road as a replacement opener for broken hand victim Luis Reece, but he only scored 21 and eight.

“I’m really pleased to be back in the team. Leicester didn’t go as well for me personally, but I feel in really good touch. Hopefully a big score’s not far away,” he added.

“I want to get a big score as soon as possible to try and cement my place in the team. That’s what I’ll be looking to do against Derbyshire.”