Lilley looking up

Arron Lilley

Cricket by CHRIS LYNHAM
FRESH from claiming the Drakes Huddersfield League Jack Gledhill Trophy, Delph star Arron Lilley has vowed to establish himself for Lancashire.

The batsman and right-arm spin bowler (21), handed the gong for being the best all-rounder of last season, also retained the Reg Haigh Trophy for most promising player.

He is the first player in 18 years to get his hands on both accolades at the same time, and he will collect them at the league’s annual dinner at Cedar Court Hotel on January 18.

Delph team-mate Irfan Zahoor will also be attending — he won the Johnny Hunter Rosebowl award for an outstanding match-winning performance, after scoring 177 in successfully chasing down Shepley’s 360 for five.

For Lilley, who penned a one-year first-team deal with Lancashire at the end of September, it capped a superb 2012.

Now he plans to make his mark for the Red Rose outfit.

He said: “Things have been going brilliantly for me and I was delighted to receive the awards.

“I see them as my reward for making some changes before the start of last season, and working harder than ever to better myself.

“I altered my mental approach and improved my concentration, and spent more time on technical aspects of my game.

“It paid off. I scored more than 1,000 runs, despite never having made more than 650 previously.

“The coaches at Lancashire have also brought me on leaps and bounds. They are fantastic and I have picked up a lot from them.