Aitchinson bags a five-fer as Derbyshire crush Lancashire

Aitchison followed his 75 on day two with 5 for 49 to set up a nine wicket win, Derbyshire's third in Division Two, and condemn Lancashire to a fourth defeat of the season.

The consolation for the Red Rose was an impressive maiden first-class half century for 17-year-old wicketkeeper Joe Moores who hit four sixes in his 57.

It spared his side from an innings defeat but Lancashire could only manage 226 and Derbyshire knocked off the 24 runs inside nine overs for the loss of Harry Came.

Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur said: "We wanted to hit them hard and start on the front foot and I think we did that. I'm really proud of that performance, there were some very good stand out performances but the thing that pleased me the most was that everyone in the dressing room has played a role in that win which is fantastic.

"In the second innings that is the best, since I've been at the club, that we've bowled as a bowling unit. The way we went out and bowled as a unit was simply outstanding.."

He also dished out the praise for Aitchison, saying: "He's bowling beautifully, he's at you all the time and he's done a fantastic job for us. It;'s so nice to see him getting the rewards after coming through a couple of stress fractures and working really hard on his rehab.

"To then deliver the performances that he has has been very significant and also very pleasing to see because I know behind the scenes the amount of hard work that he's put into getting himself up again for a county season."

Derbyshire were hoping the longest day would prove to be a short one as they looked to wrap up a first championship victory over Lancashire since 1997.

Lancashire’s slender hopes of at least taking the fight past lunch rested with Marcus Harris but he added only one before Aitchison took his fourth wicket of the innings.

Harris aimed to drive but dragged the ball into his stumps to spark Derbyshire celebrations accompanied by a toot on the whistle from Puffin’ Billy, the miniature train that runs around the Lake End at Queen’s Park.

The hosts were closing in on victory in Aitchison’s next over when the paceman claimed his fifth victim courtesy of a sharp grab by Caleb Jewell at second slip to remove George Balderson.

It was a significant wicket for Aitchison who became the first Derbyshire player to take five wickets in an innings in three successive first-class matches since the great West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding who achieved the feat in 1983.

The question now was could Lancashire make Derbyshire bat again and Moores was doing his best, forcing Aitchison confidently through the covers off the back foot before pulling Rory Haydon for six.

Paul Coughlin dispatched Anuj Dal for consecutive boundaries but got a leading edge attempting a third and was caught at mid off.

Moores pulled Haydon for another six to wipe out the arrears. He was bowled attempting to reverse sweep Matt Montgomery and although Balderson removed Came with his second ball, Luis Reece struck the winning runs to seal a 22 point victory.