LANCASHIRE have two of the best spinners in county cricket in their squad, according to Ashley Giles.

The Red Rose’s new cricket director and head coach, himself a former international spinner, is looking forward to working with left-armers Simon Kerrigan and Stephen Parry.

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Both Kerrigan and Parry have played international cricket for England in the last 18 months, with the former Lancashire lead Championship spinner and Parry filling that role in limited overs cricket.

Giles said the two would both be given a chance to prove themselves and earn a place in the Championship squad before the second division campaign gets underway.

“We have two of the best left-arm spinners in the country here,” said Giles. “With me coming in, I’m pretty fresh with some of these blokes. Some of them I have played against as an opposition coach, but really it is all fresh for me.

“This is a clean sheet of paper, and guys who perform and who look ready to go are going to get their opportunity. The ball is in their court.

“I suppose Kegs is ahead because he is the man in position, but there is still a long time to go before we bowl that first ball in the Championship. What we see in pre-season is going to be important for me and for the other guys who will be helping me select the team.”

Parry has recently featured in the Big Bash for Brisbane Heat, taking two wickets in two matches, and Giles believes he will have benefitted from the experience.

“The Big Bash is brilliant for him,” said Giles, who picked Parry in England’s one-day and Twenty20 teams early last year.

“Any opportunity like that for any of our guys, as long as it fits in to what we are doing, is great.

“When he played under me for England, I thought he did really well. He is a mature cricketer, knows his own game, is good to have around and talks a lot! He is a good bloke.

“I was surprised he didn’t get another opportunity for England with the way he performed in the West Indies.”