Jack's Lancs title dream

A win against Surrey at the Brit Oval in their final four-day game of the season will see Mark Chilton's men emulate the achievements of Peter Eckersley's side way back in 1934.

Lancashire lead the table by six points from reigning champions Sussex and Simmons, who has a 40-year association with the club, is hoping the Red Rose can finally bring domestic cricket's biggest prize back to Old Trafford.

He said: "We've been very close in the past and we've been second on a number of occasions, but this time we have our destiny in our own hands.

"At the start of the season, you would have wanted to be going into the last game of the season needing a win to take the title.

"And now we've got a fantastic chance and it's all credit to the players.

"We've got a fantastic mix of youth and experience and that's what you need.

"We've got the likes of Glen Chapple and Saj Mahmood stepping up to the plate alongside young Paul Horton.

"I think that's a very healthy situation to be in and I'm very much looking forward to Wednesday at the The Oval.

"I'd be able to die a very happy man if we were finally to get the monkey of our back and win the County Championship because we've won everything else."

In a bizarre twist of fate, all the title contenders - Lancashire, Sussex and Durham - all play their final games in the south of England.

And Simmons hoped that all three would get the same deal with the weather.

He joked: "For a change I wouldn't mind if it rained for four days!

"But given the choice, I would love for us to be able to win the title on the park. That's the way it should be."

He added: "At this time of year, The Oval track tends to be a turner and with Gary Keedy bowling well we'll go into the game full of confidence.

"And you can rest assured that if we win the title, I'll be celebrating for a long time."

l Lancashire complete their Pro40 campaign against Hampshire tomorrow.