FOLLOWING an outstanding breakthrough 2018 season, rising star Josh Bohannon is determined to make himself a regular fixture in Lancashire’s teams next year.

The Farnworth Social Circle all-rounder, who came through the Red Rose’s academy system, made his County Championship, one-day and Twenty20 debuts this year.

And, after making his mark for Lancashire with bat and ball, the 21-year-old says his next step is to cement a spot in red and white-ball cricket for his home county.

“I see 2019 as being an important year for me,” he said. “I think there is definitely a bit of extra responsibility on me now.

“After speaking with Chappy [head coach Glen Chapple] and the coaching team, there is a lot more opportunity for me to try and take the role that Clarky [Jordan Clark, who has joined Surrey] has done so well in recent years – a fourth seamer and to bat at six or seven.

“Hopefully I can own that position and help get the side back into Division One at the first time of asking.”

Bohannon made an impressive County Championship debut in difficult circumstances, scoring a half-century at Surrey in August, as well as taking his first wicket, that of the eventual champions’ captain Rory Burns.

His 52 from 108 balls came despite facing South African Test star Morne Morkel with the pink ball at The Kia Oval.

Lancashire lost that match by just six runs but their young star also hit an unbeaten 78 in the next Division One match, a four-wicket win against Worcestershire at Southport. Bohannon’s potential saw him collect Lancashire’s Breakthrough Player of the Year prize at the Club’s End of Season Awards.

“I was absolutely delighted to have my performances recognised by winning the award,” he said. “It has been a great year for me personally and a big one for my career.

“It was really special to make my debut for Lancashire in all three formats.

“But the main one was to make my first appearance in four-day cricket and to be able to show that I can play in that format.

“I had a difficult start to the season as I came back and picked up a side strain that ruled me out for the first six weeks.

“But to come back from that and be given the opportunities that I have had was really pleasing.

“It is a bit of a surreal feeling when you take your first wicket in first-class cricket or hit your maiden 50,” he explained.

“Thankfully I managed to do both in the same game.

“I will always remember the 50, to do it at an international ground like the Oval was pleasing.

“I shared the moment with Tom Bailey, who I was batting with at the time, he came down the wicket to hug me – I didn’t really know how to react.

“I think that if you look back at my first wicket, you only need to watch my celebration to see how much it meant.”