SPINNERS Arron Lilley and Simon Kerrigan starred as Lancashire completed the LV= County Championship double over Derbyshire at Southport in emphatic fashion today.
The Division Two leaders claimed an innings and 15-run success before lunch on day four to win for the fourth time in six matches.
Derbyshire started the day at 123-3 in their second innings, still 58 runs behind, and they were bowled out for 166 as off-spinner Lilley finished with a career best 5-23 from 26.1 overs.
More experienced left-armer Kerrigan added 4-80 from 36, including the prized wicket of South Africa Test captain Hashim Amla, who was bowled through the gate as he prodded forward.
“Coming out with a five-for, I’m absolutely over the moon,” said 24-year-old Lilley, who scored 63 from number eight in the order in Lancashire’s innings.
“It was great to get in the side as the second spinner, getting a chance and taking it. Getting some runs and a few wickets is always good.
“We knew it would spin on the last two days, so we kept ourselves in the game and built pressure. We kept it really tight. They only got 30-40 runs in 30 overs, and it was a great achievement for us.
“Kegs bowled really well, so all credit to him.”
Lilley did not strike in the first innings of only his third first-class match – his first of the season – but he rectified that in style. The spin pair, who struck one apiece late on day three, bowled 36.1 overs this morning.
Lilley bowled night-watchman Tom Taylor and had Scott Elstone caught at leg slip sweeping to leave the score at 137-5 in the 62nd over.
Kerrigan then bowled Amla with 141 on the board in the 63rd before getting Shiv Thakor caught at slip 10 overs later.
And when Lilley had David Wainwright caught behind at the end of the 78th over, Derbyshire were 181-8 and Lancashire well on their way to a maximum points haul of 24.
Kerrigan then bowled wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein before Lilley bowled last man Mark Footitt in front of watching Australian all-rounder James Faulkner, who will debut in Friday’s T20 clash between the teams at Derby.
It was an excellent way to go into Sunday’s important Championship match against second-placed Surrey at the Oval, in which Faulkner is also set to feature. Surrey are 32 points behind with a game in hand.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here