Lancashire Cricket Club have returned to Specsavers County Championship Division One at the first time of asking after beating Derbyshire at Emirates Old Trafford.
Lancashire’s bowlers wrapped up an innings win inside three days, earning promotion with two games to spare and maintaining their unbeaten record in the competition this season.
Academy product Josh Bohannon starred with the bat, scoring his first Lancashire hundred in making 174, while Richard Gleeson led the bowling attack with a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
The Red Rose are on the verge of claiming the Specsavers County Championship Division Two title, needing just five points from a possible 48 in the remaining two games to be confirmed as Champions.
Lancashire Head Coach, Glen Chapple, said: “While we knew we had the squad that should achieve promotion, the lads had to go out there and put the performances together. It’s pressure at a big Club but the lads have taken it on and we are really happy with how it’s turned out.
“We had some games early on frustrated by the weather, but the cricket we have played has been of a very high standard. The commitment the lads have showed throughout the season has been great and it’s something we will try to build on.
“We have achieved our main aim but we want to go on now and win the division. We have played well so far, so that remains the target, but it’s pleasing to have done it with two games to go.”
Lancashire’s Captain Dane Vilas, who passed 1,000 First-Class runs for the season during Day Three, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the boys, it has been a fantastic effort. The way we have played over the whole season has been superb. Everybody has stuck their hand up and contributed, that’s what gives me the most pride.
“We knew what our mandate was leading into the season and to do it with two games to go was excellent. It’s really pleasing and now we have to go on and make sure we win it.
We know Division One next season is going to be tough, but we’re concentrating on going up now and being as good as we can be.”
Lancashire’s final home game of the season begins on Monday against at Emirates Old Trafford, before a trip to Leicestershire rounds off the season a week later.