RADICAL changes are on the cards for the EW Cartons Lancashire League next season, as the 14 clubs consider far-reaching proposals.

Various working parties have been looking at all aspects of the league in a concerted attempt to update and restore its appeal.

And secretary Rod Slater believes the sweeping changes being debated have generally been welcomed.

If adopted, he feels they could "breathe new life" into the local game.

And some of the proposals are revolutionary as far as the Lancashire League is concerned - with the possibility of teams being deducted one point if they fail to bowl an average of at least 16 overs per hour in any innings.

Although somewhat slow to change in the past, the Lancashire League has come to terms with the need to adapt their game to modern thinking.

And they are also clearly aware of the need to involve players in the process, not just leaving it to administrators who can be out of touch.

Some of the league's most prominent players have been involved with the cricket working party, such as Burnley stalwart Peter Brown, Haslingden's wicketkeeper-batsman Jack Simpson and East Lancs skipper Mark Lomas. The result of their efforts sees a number of proposals which include:

Making games a maximum of 100 overs, with the first innings no more than 55. Any unused overs to be available in the second innings.

One over deducted for every four minutes of lost time but no minimum number of overs to make a game.

Ten points for a win, five points for a tie, two for a draw and none for a defeat.

Bonus points only to apply in the second innings. Two points awarded for reaching 90 per cent of the first innings score, one point for taking five wickets and one point for taking a further two.

Bowlers to be limited to a maximum of 10 overs in Jennings Worsley Cup ties.

In second XI league games, bowlers restricted to a maximum of 14 overs.

No replayed league games under any circumstances.

Senior and Junior League games to start earlier, at 1-15pm (September 1pm).

There is also a proposal to ease the rules regarding amateur qualification, aimed at enabling the league to attract and keep the best players who might be excluded from joining most clubs at the moment.

The new ideas were put to clubs earlier this month for their reactions and possible changes will be thrashed out in January ready to go before the annual meeting the following month. "A lot of hard work has been put in," said Mr Slater. "There has been a great deal of time and commitment given by the working party.

"All the club chairmen and first XI captains were also invited to a meeting at Burnley earlier this month for information before going back to their clubs with the details.

"Some of the changes are radical and, from what I hear on the grapevine, a majority of them seem to have a chance of going through."

There is a possibility that the full package could be accepted but there is the alternative of selected proposals being voted through.

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