TWO young cricketers have been given a major lift towards a successful playing career after being awarded Lancashire Cricket Club scholarships.

Sixteen-years-old Karl Brown, who plays for Bolton Association side Atherton, and Steven Mullaney, aged 17, formerly of Golborne CC, and who now plays for Leigh CC in the Liverpool Competition, will be coached full-time at Old Trafford.

The two players also received further honours this week, as opening batsman Karl was named Lancashire's junior player of the year and presented with the Cedric Rhoades Trophy, while Steven has been called up for the England U19s squad to tour India early next year.

"Having the scholarships is great for both of us," said Karl. "The experience should be fantastic, and hopefully it will help us improve our game enourmously."

Karl played for England U17s four times during the season,top scoring with 98 against the Yorkshire Academy, while he was the leading runs scorer in the Association this season, his 1,151 runs also making him the second highest amateur runs scorer in a season in the 116-year history of the league.