A SUMMER of Bolton cricket officially gets under way today.

Bolton Cricket League sides will kick off in a 15-team, one-division format that will then split into a top and bottom half later in the summer.

A busy first weekend of the campaign also includes the first round of matches in the Hamer Cup tomorrow.

Clubs will be hoping to complete in a full season after seeing 2020’s efforts hit by the coronavirus pandemic. After a delayed start at the end of July, BCL chiefs were largely praised for getting all but two rounds of league matches in before having to curtail the campaign and declare it null and void in September.

Westhoughton, who sit out the opening league games as the odd team out, led Walkden by one point at the top of the Premiership with Little Lever a further three points back in third but no honours were handed out. Astley Bridge were closing in on the Association crown.

This time around, under current guidance, spectators are not permitted at matches but clubs are allowed to welcome those using outdoor hospitality.

Today: League – Eagley v Little Lever, Farnworth v Astley Bridge, Horwich v Farnworth Social Circle, Kearsley v Walkden, Little Hulton v Blackrod, Lostock v Darcy Lever, Tonge v Atherton.

Tomorrow: Hamer Cup – Atherton v Astley Bridge, Blackrod v Little Lever, Eagley v Darcy Lever, Farnworth Social Circle v Horwich, Kearsley v Walkden, Lostock v Westhoughton, Tonge v Farnworth.

Second team fixtures are reversed on both days.