THE healthy state of women's cricket in Bolton was highlighted last week when four of the town's cricketers were called up to Lancashire's senior squad.

Meg Fairclough was named captain, while there were also call-ups for her Egerton team-mate Bhumika Doshi, Nalisha Patel, of Horwich, and Astley Bridge's Shachi Pai.

The town's top quartet are at the pinnacle of the county, but there are plenty more coming through the ranks.

A total of ?? players from Bolton have recently been called up for Lancashire's junior sides, including Abby Mort, who is one of the stars of Kearsley's under-10s.

Proud coach Shaun Lomax certainly believes Abby has what it take to follow in the footsteps of the town's leading lights.

"I think she will go all the way," said Lomax.

"The way she has taken to the game, improved and developed over the past 12 months, I am sure she is capable of playing cricket for Lancashire at the highest level."

Abby has cemented her place in a successful side at Kearsley after joining along with five school-mates from St Stephen's two years ago.

"She is the only girl in the side, but because so many joined from the same school at the same time they all gelled from the word go," added Lomax.

"The only thing that sets her apart is the way she listens. While the boys might be joking around, Abby really focuses on what you're saying. You can tell by the improvement in her game that she's really taking it in.

"She can do everything on the pitch - batting, bowling, you name it. Her fielding has really come on over the past year as well."

After helping her Kearsley side beat all before them last season, Abby went on to have a successful try-out with the Bolton District side, when the Kearsley coach was encouraged to nominate her for a Lancashire trial.

"Everyone was talking about her in the district team so I emailed the county. They got back to me the following week, invited her for a trial and very quickly called her up."

Abby's next challenge is to secure a place in the U11s team for the first friendly of the season against Nottinghamshire on May 23.

Other Bolton girls called up to Lancashire junior sides: U11s – ; U13s – ; U15s – ; U17s – .