ASHLEY Giles has hailed James Faulkner’s influence on the Lancashire dressing room whilst labelling the Australian all-rounder as one of the world’s very best cricketers.

Faulkner’s skills with ball and bat are without question, but he doesn’t seem to have the same superstar status as a Brendon McCullum, for example, who faces Lancashire tomorrow in Twenty20 cricket when he debuts for Birmingham Bears.

Faulkner, 25, has excelled in both Twenty20 and County Championship cricket during the early stages of his Lancashire career.

He has scored a maiden first-class hundred and taken his first hat-trick, while he claimed a crucial 3-27 in a Roses T20 win over Yorkshire and hit 47 not out in a win over Derbyshire.

In last Friday’s defeat to Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, his blistering 73 off 45 balls from number five in the order was not quite enough to secure a pursuit of 170.

“He's got to be up there as one of the best around,” said Giles, Lancashire’s cricket director and head coach.

“You look at what he does – a left-arm over bowler, killer slower ball, good yorker, good pace and he smacks the ball out of the ground. I'd have him in my side any day of the week.

“I'm not going to call him a Big Show, but he’s definitely that sort of box office player. He’s got to match (McCullum).

“McCullum can ruin your day in a very bad way, but he can also get out first ball. Jim has two goes at it. If he doesn't get you with the ball, he can get you with the bat. He's definitely up there.

"I can't praise him enough. The input he has had in everything, there's no whinge about it, he cracks on with it and loves his cricket. He loves those big moments and being out there when it's really difficult.

“He wants to bowl the difficult overs and bat at the end like he did at Northants.

"Although he's relatively young, he's got a lot of experience. The guy's played a lot of cricket for Australia and in the IPL.

“It's fantastic that he not only plays his cricket, but he's willing to offer support and help for our youngsters, which can only help them in the future.”

Lancashire face Durham in a crucial T20 Blast clash at Emirates Durham tonight looking for their fourth win from eight matches.