SIX-WICKET hero Alan Richardson was quick to praise James Cameron’s fine innings as Worcestershire wrapped up a stunning 10-wicket victory over title-chasing Lancashire inside two days to boost their own chances of survival in LV= Championship Division One.

The 25-year-old all-rounder fell just two runs short of his century on yesterday’s second morning, but his efforts helped the New Road side to a 76-run first innings lead as they were bowled out for 237.

That cushion was almost enough for Steve Rhodes’ side as Richardson blew away the visitors with 6-22.

Lancashire, missing ex-County opener Stephen Moore who dashed back to Manchester to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, were bowled out for just 80 with Kemar Roach chipping in with three wickets.

Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell needed just three balls to knock off the five runs required for a 10-wicket win with more than two days to spare.

The 20 points the County secured from this success boosts their hopes of avoiding relegation as Yorkshire, even with a maximum points victory at Warwickshire, would still be below Worcestershire in the table.

“We didn’t see that coming!” Richardson said. “It was one of those days where the bowlers had bowled quite well and it clicked for us in the morning and afternoon.

“But Jimmy was fantastic. Without his partnership with Ben Scott it would have been a really open game.

“The 70-odd runs we got ahead were so crucial and Jimmy was fantastic, we hoped he would get his hundred.”

Richardson, who now has 62 wickets for the season, says Worcestershire will not be getting carried away with the victory.

The win, Worcestershire’s fourth of the season, will undoubtedly leave their relegation rivals concerned, but the 35-year-old says only their own results concern the County.

“All the other results are not in our hands,” he said. “We just want to get as many points as we can, that is what we set out to do in April and things haven’t changed.

“We don’t look at the other results, if we get enough points then it won’t matter what anyone else does.”

Despite 29 wickets falling in a day-and-a-half, ECB pitch liaison officer Jack Birkenshaw said the result was down to good bowling and indifferent batting.