STEVEN Croft is backing Australian all-rounder James Faulkner to kick on with the ball after taking his first three wickets in LV= County Championship cricket for Lancashire earlier this week.

The left-arm seamer is widely regarded as one of the world’s best white ball bowlers, and is sure to figure prominently when Derbyshire visit Emirates Old Trafford for tonight’s NatWest T20 Blast clash.

But Faulkner has had limited opportunity of late with the red ball due to one-day and Twenty20 commitments internationally and at the Indian Premier League.

Cricket Australia agreed to let him join Lancashire as their overseas player in order to boost his Test hopes, and he chipped in with 3-18 in the second innings of the victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol.

He picked up the key wicket of compatriot Michael Klinger caught behind as Gloucester unsuccessfully chased 252 on Wednesday, as well as getting Geraint Jones and Matt Taylor the same way.

Faulkner went wicketless in the first innings and through the whole of last week’s debut against Surrey at the Oval, although he has bowled better than his tally of wickets suggest.

Red Rose stand-in captain Croft is hoping to see the 25-year-old Tasmanian gain more rewards when Leicestershire visit Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Sunday.

“It would have been a massive boost for him to get off the mark in the wickets column, and I’m sure he will go from strength to strength,” he said.

“We knew bringing him in that he hadn’t played first-class cricket for a while. But he’s got a great first-class record. He’s still learning as well with English conditions.

“To get three-for in a win will be great for his confidence, and great for us as well.

“He’s a good, honest bowler. He’s got good plans and skills. He’s got good pace and can swing the ball both ways. He’s a great package to have with his batting and fielding as well.”

Lancashire beat Gloucester by 91 runs to go 31 points clear at the top of Division Two with a fifth win from eight matches.

Croft, however, says the Red Rose can still improve, adding: “It was a great victory without playing the perfect game of cricket.

“We were under par with the bat (in getting 275 and 253), but we came back really well with the ball. We gave too many soft dismissals away. It wasn’t a 400 pitch, but we were looking at a first innings of 300 to 350.”