IT will be the battle of the top two when Worcestershire take on Lancashire in Specsavers County Championship Division Two at Emirates Old Trafford from Monday (11am).

Although it is early days in the 2019 campaign, both sides have won their first two games with Worcestershire four points ahead.

All-rounder Wayne Parnell and batsman Callum Ferguson are both available after being rested and having family commitments respectively.

Boss Alex Gidman said: “It’s great to go up there and play against a very good, competitive team in Lancashire.

“It will give us a good indication of where we are at in our own game.

“They are a very strong team, particularly at the moment. They’ve got a very strong bowling outfit which will be a great challenge for our batsmen.

“We are really looking forward to the challenge.”

Worcestershire have 47 points out of a possible 48 after defeating Leicestershire and Durham.

Gidman said: “It’s been fantastic. I’m really proud of the lads. They are working extremely hard. To play cricket as they have done is very mentally and physically fatiguing.

“They are really enjoying it. They should be really satisfied with their work and long may it continue.

“Is there the opportunity to freshen up the team? Yes — and we will do. We’re lucky at the moment that we’ve got 13 to 14 fully-fit members of the squad and we’ve got to be smart with how we use those guys.

“Wayne will definitely come into the team and we will look at who we can rest.

“We won’t be dropping players but resting them and trying to make the right cricketing decisions as often as possible.

“We are lucky at the moment. It may not last forever with the injuries so we’ve got to keep the guys as fresh as possible for as long as possible.”

County bowler Charlie Morris is the joint leading wicket-taker in Division Two with 15 scalps including hauls of 7-45 and 6-53.

He is level with Durham’s Chris Rushworth who has played a game more.

Morris’ team-mate Josh Tongue has 12 in two matches and claimed his 100th first-class wicket during the five-wicket home win over Durham.