THE Bolton Cricket League has won the county's top award for its service to cricket.

The Lancashire County Board has given the League its Outstanding Service to Cricket Award (OSCA) in recognition of the achievements of grassroots volunteers in the provision of cricket.

The awards are decided by a judging panel selected by LCB and the winners are submitted to represent Lancashire at the NatWest OSCAs at Lord’s on Tuesday, October 4.

There are seven categories in the Lancashire OSCAs and the Bolton League won the award for leagues.

LCB managing director Bobby Denning said: “The recreational game is quite simply about volunteers who are involved in the game because of their passion for it.

"On behalf of the LCB directors and staff, we thank the volunteers we have recognised with an OSCA, particularly as they don’t always get the thanks they deserve. Their contribution is significant.

"The Bolton League and the area in general has always been a hot bed of cricket, though tradition alone doesn’t always guarantee success for the future.

"The League continues to look to be innovative ensuring its customers, the players, have an offer to ensure sustained and increased participation."

In a statement the LCB say the League have been awarded the OSCA for "their recent efforts to encourage their clubs to complete games and avoid cancellations and concessions".

"The league were considered to go beyond the call of duty and support key volunteers within clubs to help reduce the number of cancelled and conceded games throughout the season."

The LCB also pick out some initiatives as reasons for the BCL earning the award.

"The 40-Over Competition can now be reduced to 10 overs per side. This is so that a game can be played, to try and get a result, rather than going to a reserve date or bowl out," adds the statement.

"The under-18s competition is now a Twenty20. This is a change of format now that a lot of clubs have third teams and/or development teams.

"If either captain wishes, the match can continue below 25 overs if there is a realistic chance of a result.

"It’s quite complex but it means a match need not be abandoned just because there are less than the minimum overs of 25.

"The changes allow for flexibility in an ever changing environment, where lifestyles and social commitments, added to the weather and distance have been putting pressure on clubs to complete games."

Bolton League secretary Ray Taylor said of the nomination: “We are delighted to win the leagues category in the LCB OSCAs and be nominated for the ECB Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards.

"This is particularly important for us this year as junior summer football is to be introduced to the area from 2017, and if successful will almost certainly spread to most of the UK very quickly.

"The Bolton League will be working closely with Bobby Denning and his colleagues at the Lancashire Cricket Board to minimise the impact.”