WHEN Lancashire’s squad sat down at the start of the season to discuss their LV= County Championship promotion strategy, some players dismissed the chances of one bowler taking 75 wickets in a campaign.

Ashley Giles spoke about having three bowlers around the 50 mark, and the question was asked ‘why can’t one bowler get 75?’

“Some scoffed, saying ‘it’s not very easy at Old Trafford’,” revealed the Red Rose cricket director and head coach.

They obviously did not account for the stunning form of ex-Zimbabwe seamer Kyle Jarvis, who has taken 55 wickets from nine matches: “He is storming that,” said Giles.

Jarvis, 26 years old, took eight wickets in this week’s three-day innings victory over Leicestershire at Emirates Old Trafford, and he has taken four five-wicket hauls this season.

His form has been much needed give last season's leading wicket-taker Tom Smith has been out since April with a bank injury and will be missing for at least another five weeks.

“A few of the lads said 'that's just impossible’,” revealed off-spinning all-rounder Arron Lilley.

“But Jarv's 20 wickets away, so you wouldn't put it past him getting more than 80. The way he's going is incredible. Line and length, people have found it hard to get him away.”

Giles continued: “A few of the bowlers thought it was possible. The example used was Mark Footitt (from Derbyshire) last year, who got 80.

“Historically, we play on some of the best wickets in the country. It can be very hard to bowl sides out twice, but we’ve done that well so far.”

Jarvis’s form is such that he is firmly on course to secure Lancashire’s highest wickets haul since Peter Lee took 107 in 1975.

But could he become the first Red Rose bowler since Lee to reach 100 Championship wickets in a season?

“I’m not going to make any big statements and say Jarv can get 100 wickets, but the rate he’s going at, he’s almost on target,” added Giles. “It sounds ridiculous, but he’s been brilliant, particularly on wickets at Old Trafford.

“I actually think we’ve managed to play on some really good cricket wickets at home. The Gloucester one, which we lost, was good. I thought this week’s was excellent.

“From where he was and what he would have felt last season, to where he is now, I’m delighted for him. He’s worked incredibly hard, has stuck to his guns, and he’s reaping the rewards.”