LANCASHIRE Cricket Club have explained why they had to say no to staging the final of the biggest amateur club game in the county at Old Trafford this year.

And they have confirmed to The Bolton News they will host the final of the Lancashire Knockout next year. Bolton League club Farnworth take on Denton West of the Greater Manchester League in the LKO final on Sunday.

The game will take place at the home of Middleton Cricket Club, quite a modest contrast to the grand surroundings of Old Trafford which has been the traditional home of the competition’s final since it started in 1972.

The final has only not been staged at Lancashire’s headquarters on six previous occasions.

This year will be the third time in a row it has been held away from Old Trafford, sparking some concerns in amateur club cricket the county ground may have staged its last final.

But, responding to a request from The Bolton News for the reasons why they are not staging the game, Lancashire said it was because Old Trafford was hosting an England game and a Lancashire game within five days either side of the Lancashire Knockout final.

Lancashire Cricket Club sales and marketing director, Justin Hopwood, said: “Lancashire County Cricket Club has been proud to host the LCB Knockout final over a number of years at Emirates Old Trafford and we look forward to doing so in the future.

“The club can confirm that it did receive a request to host the LCB Knockout final which was scheduled for Sunday, September 11. Unfortunately, due to the International T20 between England and Pakistan on Wednesday, September 7, and then Lancashire’s Specsavers County Championship fixture against Middlesex at Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Monday, September 12, following advice from the head groundsman, the club was not able to host the match.

“We remain absolutely committed to supporting the game of cricket in the county and we are looking to speak with recreational clubs in even more detail over the coming months about future ways of working together.

"The county club remains hugely committed to cricket across the entire county. We have already committed to play next year’s final at Emirates Old Trafford and we look forward to hosting the finale of the competition at the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club."