TOM Bailey has set his sights on leading Lancashire’s attack next season as they look to bounce straight back from Division Two of the County Championship.

Bailey established himself as a first team regular last season and the 23-year-old from Preston knows with Kyle Hogg retiring and Glen Chapple wanting to concentrate on coaching there is a chance to take on a big role.

MORE TOP STORIES:

“Come next season I want to be opening the bowling for the first team,” said Lancashire’s Young Player of the Year, who has signed a two-year contract.

“I feel ready to play first-team cricket after the last couple of years I have had, and to hear Ashley Giles say he is keen to give the younger players a chance is really good for the club and for me personally.

“My ambitions at the start of the year were just to try and get a professional contract really.

“I was bowling well in pre-season – probably better than I was at the end of the season if I am honest – but I didn’t make it into the second team and that was a bit frustrating.

“Because we had so many contracted players and I was still on a scholarship they had priority in terms of places in the side.

“The fact I wasn’t getting into the second team meant that my focus had to be on getting a contract rather than looking at trying to get into the first team.”