DELPH CRICKETER Arron Lilley has described the delight of helping Lancashire Lightning win the NatWest T20 Blast.
“As somebody who grew up watching Lancashire, it was great for me to help Lancashire win a trophy,” explained the 24-year-old, who still plays for Delph when not needed by the county club.
It might even get better for Arron this week as already promoted Lancashire will clinch the second division title with victory against Surrey at Old Trafford.
All-rounder Arron had a starring role in the T20 finals day at Edgbaston taking two wickets for 11 runs from four overs in the six-wicket win against Hampshire in the semi final.
In the final against Northants, Arron also played a pivotal part hitting a crucial 22 not out, including a six off the last ball as Lancashire made 166-7 from their 20 overs. He then bowled three overs for 20 runs as Northants were restricted to 153-6 to give Lancashire a slender 13-run winning margin.
Arron, recently handed a new three-year contract by Lancashire, is delighted with the way the 2015 season has been, both for him individually and for the county.
He said: “It has been my breakthrough year in terms of the amount of cricket I have played.
“I have played six championship matches taking 24 wickets at an average below 25, scoring two 50s and averaging over 35 with the bat
“If we can win the second division title, it will be a great end to what has already been a fabulous year.”
Indeed, Arron has played 16 T20 Blast matches this summer as well as a further three in the Royal London Cup.
Arron, who made his Lancashire debut in 2012, added he is grateful for the trust Ashley Giles, Lancashire’s director of cricket, has shown in him.
“Ashley gave me the opportunity and I have done everything I can to repay him for the faith he has shown in me,” he said.
Arron is about to complete three years as a professional with Lancashire having prior to that had a scholarship at Old Trafford.
He has also helped Delph mount a challenge for the Huddersfield League title, though they look likely to finish runners-up or third.
“We have over 100 points that in a normal season would probably have won it for us, but all credit to Scholes as they look like winning it,” he said.
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