Highly-rated Daisy Mullan made her Bradshaw first-team debut in Sunday’s ECB National Club Championship second-round victory over Hyde and has been backed to make the step up to Lancashire’s senior women’s side in the not-too distant future.

All-rounder Mullan, aged 16, follows in the footsteps of Meg Fairclough and Shachi Pai to play first-team men’s cricket for a Bolton League side, with the pair previously representing Egerton and Astley Bridge.

Turton School pupil Mullan did not bowl or bat in the low-scoring clash at the Rigby’s as Cheshire Premier League side Hyde were bowled out for 115 before the hosts reached their target for the loss of seven wickets in the 38th of 40 overs but it was still a proud moment for her family. 

“The aim has always been to progress with Lancashire, who have brought her on brilliantly,” said dad Chris. 

“They’ve just made her captain of the under 17s side. 

“There was always a hope she would make it into the first team at Bradshaw, but to do it at this stage is certainly a surprise. It’s been four or five years of hard work for her.”

Bradshaw’s secretary and head of their junior section, Mick Buckley, said: “It’s a massive feather in her cap. 

“She’s been playing here since she was nine.

“She was just on the ground one day playing with some of the lads, and I went over and mithered her dad to let her play cricket because she was a footballer playing for Bolton’s Academy Juniors team at the time. 

“He said, ‘Yeah, she can play’. Immediately she just flew.

“She hasn’t played senior cricket for Lancashire, but I can’t see it being a million miles away. Maybe next season, possibly.”

Batting is Mullan’s strong suit, demonstrated by a century for Leigh women’s first team in their 35-over competition last weekend. 

She is a regular in Bradshaw’s second team and also plays T20 cricket for Bury women’s side Tottington and has played twice for Bury FC women as a goalkeeper.

Lancashire’s women and girls manager Jen Barden said: “Daisy’s played in our RDC for the last couple of years. She was de-selected at the beginning of this winter, but she’s knuckled down. 

“We’d be looking for her to really make an impact this year and push on next. In the next 12-18 months, she would be looking to push to the next level.

“But she’s 16, and we only have one under-18 in our whole first-team squad now. Last weekend there was none. People aren’t really making their debuts at 14 like they used to.

“Her GCSEs (which start imminently) are important, as is pushing on in the under-17s and getting herself back into RDC for next winter. That’s the best 14 young girls below the senior women’s side and the Thunder.”

Seamer Jordan Evans impressed with 4-30 for Bradshaw before hitting 21. Nick Palmer top-scored with 27, and Bradshaw advance to face Littleborough or Timperley away on June 9.

Horwich, meanwhile, will travel to St Annes after a thrilling win on fewer wickets lost at home to Chorley. Horwich finished on 198-7 and Chorley 198-8 as the Northern League side failed to get 14 off the last two overs.