Former England coach David Lloyd believes Jordan Clark is capable of becoming fellow Cumbrian all-rounder Ben Stokes’ understudy for the national side.

Clark, whose family have all come through the ranks at Cleator Cricket Club, took a remarkable hat-trick on Sunday in Lancashire’s Roses County Championship match against Yorkshire.

Up against a star-studded middle-order, the 27-year-old trapped England Test skipper Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, before Jonny Bairstow was caught behind to complete the first hat-trick for Lancashire against their fierce rivals since 1968.

“Jordan Clark’s hat-trick for Lancashire in the Roses game was mightily impressive,” admitted popular cricketing legend Lloyd, nicknamed Bumble.

“With the three wickets he got – Root, Williamson and Bairstow – you are not going to better that!

“The funny thing about it was that the lights were on, it was overcast and sultry, and both teams wanted to bat. I thought ‘crikey’ as it really looked like a bowling day.

"It was the first hat-trick for Lancashire in a Roses match since Ken Higgs at Headingley in 1968 and, when I read that, it alerted me.

“I thought ‘I’ll have played in that match’ so I looked up the scorecard. I did play but I can’t remember it at all. I find it extraordinary.

"It turns out I batted at No.5 and scored 15 and 16, and we got beaten by an innings with Fred Trueman taking a five-wicket haul.”

Lloyd, who was also a first-class umpire in the 1980s, revealed he has recommended Whitehaven-born Clark to Indian Premier League teams.

“Jordan is a lad I rate highly,” he added in his Sky Sports column.

“I think he is out of contract at the end of the season and I would love him to stay at Lancashire as he is a good cricketer. His career really should take off.

“When England had to replace Ben Stokes because of injury in the second Test against Pakistan earlier this summer, they went for Sam Curran. But Jordan should have been thinking ‘I should be up there’.

“He’s got a lot more to do. He’s got to get consistent. But it shouldn’t be beyond him.

"I have recommended him a couple of times to IPL clubs as I think he is perfect for that competition.”

Jordan’s brother, Graham, plays for Durham.