LANCASHIRE’S Director of Cricket Ashley Giles heaped praise on spin kings Arron Lilley and Simon Kerrigan after the pair inspired the Red Rose to victory over Derbyshire at Southport.

The visitors began the day on 123-3 but within 97 minutes they were all out for 166 as Lilley (5-23) and Kerrigan (4-80) ripped through the batting order.

MORE TOP STORIES:

And the manor of victory, coming by an innings and 15 runs, pleased Giles.

“It was a really ruthless performance,” he said.

“That was a really good win after losing the toss on a wicket we thought would spin.

“I’ve probably complained at times that we’ve not been ruthless enough but throughout this game I thought we’ve handled ourselves really well and we’ve played some really good cricket.

“I love the game when there’s two spinners involved for personal reasons as much as anything.

“The game moved very quickly and when the ball’s turning, it’s good cricket to watch.

“I’m really pleased for both Simon Kerrigan and Arron Lilley.

“Simon bowled very well and for Arron to get 60-odd and a five-fer in his third first-class game makes it a pretty good match for him.”

The result consolidates Lancashire’s position at the top of the LV=Division Two table.

Lilley took 4-8 in 18.1 overs on the final morning and made the breakthrough when he bowled Tom Taylor for two and then had Scott Elstone caught at backward short leg by Ashwell Prince for 0.

At the other end Kerrigan took the prize wicket of Hashim Amla for 11 when a fine delivery eluded the South African’s studied forward defensive shot.

That left Derbyshire on 141-6, still 40 runs short of making Lancashire bat again, and an innings defeat became probable when Kerrigan had Shiv Thakor caught by Alviro Petersen at second slip for two.

Next over David Wainwright was caught at the wicket for 10 when attempting to cut a ball from Lilley and Harvey Hosein was bowled by Kerrigan seven minutes later.

Lancashire’s victory was completed when David Footitt’s cheery swipe only resulted in him being bowled by Lilley for five and the off-spinner thus achieved career-best bowling and batting performances in the same match.

The victory means Lancashire earned 24 points and their next Championship match sees them visit fellow title-challengers Surrey on Sunday.