LANCASHIRE leg spinner Matt Parkinson said he is looking forward to the prospect of playing in front of packed crowds at Emirates Old Trafford again.

Following the guidance of the latest Government roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown, sporting events will be able to reopen with crowds of 25% capacity on Monday, May 17 and large-scale events and performances will be able to go ahead with full capacity from Monday, June 21, subject to government data proving that four key tests are being passed.

The proposed timeline would mean that supporters will be welcomed back to Emirates Old Trafford for the first time for Lancashire’s County Championship Roses clash against Yorkshire, starting on Thursday, May 27.

It would also mean that the Vitality Blast Roses Match at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday, July 17 is hoped to be played in front of a full house.

Bolton-born Parkinson is the Blast's leading wicket-taker since 2017 and has been Lancashire's main spin threat alongside fellow tweakers Steven Croft, Liam Livingstone and young left-arm spinner Tom Hartley.

"We are a team that probably thrives on having the crowd there," said Parkinson, 24. "The crowd normally swing tight games to our favour.

"I think back to Nottinghamshire at home when we came back from a shocking start to a win and I think the crowd had a massive impact on us as a team and more so than most counties.

"We have a group of players who thrive off the fans being there. We have a few showmen in the likes of Liam Livingstone and Alex Davies and fingers crossed if crowds come back you'll probably see a much-improved side."