Lancashire clinch first win of the season at Northants.

Anderson's all-round contribution made him the key man for Lancashire.

James Anderson finished with 10-89 in Lancashire's trip to Northants as the visitors achieved their first win of the 2014 season, bowling Northants out for 179 to earn a 60-run victory.

It was the third time Anderson returned with ten wickets in a first-class match for Lancashire and the England International now has 18 wickets in three matches this season at an average of 16.88.

Northants needed a further 95 runs to win, with five wickets remaining, but were only able to add another 34 runs before they were bowled out by Anderson (5-41) and Glen Chapple (2-52).

Overnight batsman, Jamed Middlebrook gave Northants their best chance for success, but when he was removed by Chapple for 87, the highest score of the match, Lancashire were in a strong position to seize victory.

Anderson dealt early damage, removing Ben Duckett's (26) leading edge found its way back to the bowler, with Anderson diving forward to take the catch.

Once Middlebrook and Duckett's 80-run stand came to an end, the match became Lancashire's to lose, with Northants requiring a further 83 runs to win. Former Lancashire man, Steven Crook, displayed a lack of application, attempting to pull a delivery from Anderson and got a top-edge to Luke Procter at mid-on.

With the score now at 159-7, the odds were heavily in Lancashire's favour and the hosts would lose their last three wickets for just 12 runs to cement victory for Glen Chapple in his first match as coach at Lancashire.

The crucial wicket of Middlebrook gave Lancashire a clear route to victory, after Ashwell Prince took a smart catch at point to remove the opener for 87, with Chapple claiming the all important wicket.

The final two wickets of the innings would belonged to Kabir Ali (3-17), with Northants' second innings curtailing after the key breakthrough of Middlerbrook. Olly Stone had survived 75 balls in the first innings, but was only able to add three runs before edging behind to Jos Buttler.

With 63 runs still needed for victory, David Murphy (12*) and Azharullah could do little to prevent the inevitable, with the latter losing his off-stump to round things off.

Points: Northamptonshire 3pts, Lancashire 19pts

Man of the match: No prizes for guessing the key man in this match. James Anderson continued his imperious form for Lancashire, returning 10 wickets in the match to ensure the visitors would earn their first win of the season.

He claimed 5-48 in Northants' first innings and gave a near perfect performance second time around with 5-41. Before he even had the ball in hand he put his stamp on the match, making a somewhat fortuitous contribution of 28 and was the highest scorer in Lancashire's first innings.