Lancashire seamer Tom Bailey has been voted April’s PCA Player of the Month after winning a tight public vote.

The 27-year-old was up against Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball, Ryan Higgins of Gloucestershire and Kent’s Matt Henry as the top four players in the PCA’s county MVP rankings were put to an online poll.

Bailey secured 40 per cent of the vote, with Ball in second place with 36 per cent.

After taking eight wickets in his opening two Championship fixtures of the season it was Bailey’s third performance of the season which propelled him into the top four of the overall MVP. The Preston-born bowler hit a career-best 66 from No.10 before taking four wickets in the first innings against Surrey to help force the follow on at Old Trafford.

The hosts were unable to produce a win despite Bailey’s extraordinary 4-12 from 19 overs in the second innings, handing him the man of the match award.

Bailey said: “I’m chuffed. Winning this award is a first for me and I feel like I’ve been bowling pretty well to be honest. I was up against some good names who have started the season really well so it’s a big honour. Hopefully I can win another one or two this year.

“To be honest I feel like I’ve been bowling well for last few years but injuries have halted me getting in the team consistently. I have had an injury-free start to the season and I’ve had the opportunity which has been massive for me.

“I really want to play a full season of first-team cricket in all the formats.”

“We haven’t won a game yet so it would’ve been nice to have had a couple of wins under our belt but I think the way we are playing I think that first win will be coming in the near future.

“The way we played against Surrey we were unlucky so with Somerset this week there’s every chance of picking up that first win.

“Jimmy Anderson is back this week and everyone knows what he can do. Having him in the team is only going to help us so I’m looking forward to that.