LANCASHIRE COUNTY Cricket Club has given its firm backing behind a drive to improve the standards of discipline and behaviour of cricketers at all levels throughout the county.

In partnership with the Lancashire Cricket Board (LCB), the Red Rose has written to all clubs regulated by the LCB following a widely-acknowledged decline in player behaviour in recreational cricket across the country over the past 30 years.

Andrew Hayhurst, LCB Director, said: "We accept that the majority of cricketers do play within the spirit of the game and, indeed, the game itself is in good shape, but this message is designed to appeal to the better nature of all players, administrators and spectators who support this great sport."

Mike Watkinson, Cricket Director at Lancashire County Cricket Club, said: "Lancashire County Cricket Club itself is fully aware of the responsibilities of their professional players as role models. They are often commended for the way they represent the club at different events throughout the cricketing calendar. We do promote hard competitive cricket and we have measures in place to monitor and control the levels of behaviour exhibited.

"The County has an excellent development structure in place with a great track record for converting local talent into first class and International cricketers.  However, it is obvious that some talented young players are acquiring unsavoury habits which are considered unacceptable in the representative environment."

The information will be disseminated via the clubs to their captains, players, officials and supporters with the intention of producing a general increase in behavioural standards in Lancashire.