THREE of Bolton's finest cricketers are in the running to be included in the Lancashire Cricket Hall of Fame this year.

The Red Rose launched the initiative in 2020 with each inductee receiving a special Lancashire Cricket Hall of Fame cap and a commemorative booklet awarded at a special awards dinner each year.

The first seven players to be inducted into the Lancashire Cricket Hall of Fame included Bolton-born Jack Bond as well as legendary players Sir Clive Lloyd CBE and Brian Statham.

Following its success the Hall of Fame Ceremony will be returning for 2021 (with Lancashire Cricket supporters being given the opportunity to vote for who they would like to be inducted next.

Included in the players who played pre-First World War is Dick Barlow, who was born at Barrow Bridge, Bolton, on May 28 1851. Known as one of the most colourful characters to play for Lancashire, Barlow played in 17 Test Matches for England, sharing in the first century opening partnership in Test Cricket and he also took seven wickets in an innings twice during his England career. He scored 11,217 runs for Lancashire, taking 951 wickets in a career spanning 20 years. Barlow died in Blackpool on July 31 1919 with his headstone reading "Bowled at last".

The players shortlisted from between the wars, includes Westhoughton-born Dick Pollard who took over 1,100 First-Class wickets and would have taken much more if the war had not interrupted his career. For Lancashire he took 1,015 wickets at an average of 22.15, taking five or more wickets in an innings 55 times. He played in the Victory Tests in 1945 and subsequently played four Tests for England dismissing the legendary Don Bradman twice in 1948. He died in Westhoughton aged 73 in 1985.

The final player from Bolton to be nominated in the pre-1965 category, is off spinner Roy Tattersall, who was born in Tonge Moor in 1922. He played in 16 Tests for England, taking 58 wickets at an average of 26.08, with a best return of 7-52 against South Africa at Lord’s in 1951. In 277 matches for Lancashire he took 1,168 wickets, at an average of 17.39, including 9-40 against Notts at Emirates Old Trafford, which included a hat-trick with four wickets in five balls. He retired and moved to Kidderminster where he died aged 89 in 2011.

Red Rose supporters are asked to choose one player from each category, as well as suggesting three living former players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Warren Hegg, head of cricket business for Lancashire Cricket, said: “The Hall of Fame will see us pay tribute to players that have given so much to the club in years gone by, as we relive past glories and celebrate those who engineered some of the greatest moments in Red Rose folklore."

For a full list of the nominees and to vote go to: lancashirecricket.co.uk