Salute to Red Rose heroes

STARS Kyle Hogg and Luke Procter with Mayor of Oldham Richard Knowles and Mayoress Valerie Knowles, council officials and pupils from Thorp Primary School

CRICKETING stars inspired local children to be the sport’s next generation at a Mayoral reception to toast the success of Oldham’s role in helping Lancashire win the County Championship.

Kyle Hogg and Luke Procter, who played starring roles in Lancashire’s first outright title for 77 years, were invited to the Mayor’s Parlour.

Mayor of Oldham Councillor Richard Knowles hosted the reception which was attended by budding cricketers from Thorp Primary School, Royton.

The players were grilled by the pupils who asked about the duo’s favourite cricketers, whether they preferred to bat or bowl, and their memorable cricketing moments.

Kyle attended Saddleworth School and also played for Greenfield in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The 28-year-old finished this season second in the Red Rose county’s bowling averages taking 50 wickets, while scoring more than 300 runs.

Luke (23) who spent his early career at Oldham Cricket Club, had a six-year spell at Royton in the Central Lancashire League and was the club’s professional this season.

An excellent campaign saw him finish top of the County’s batting averages —scoring 366 runs at 40.66 — and taking nine wickets to earn a new two-year contract.

The Mayor said: “It has been an incredibly long wait for Lancashire to win the title outright and we are extremely proud that two of our home-grown talents played such starring roles.

“Both of them are fantastic ambassadors for the game and our borough.”

Kyle said: “A reception with the Mayor is one of the biggest honours in Oldham and it was great to meet the local children.”

Luke said: “We hope to inspire the next generation of cricketers and hope that Lancashire is on a winning streak.”