Top marks for Denning

Bobby Denning achieved his ECB Level IV badge with the highest marks in his class

The Lancashire Cricket Board is celebrating after one of its coaches joined an exclusive group.

Bobby Denning, who combines his role as coach of Spain with overseeing the Lancashire youth sides from under-11 to under-14 level, has completed his ECB Level IV coaching badge.

He becomes one of a select band of around 100 people - former England coach Peter Moores among them - to achieve the highest coaching qualification available in England and Wales.

The prestigious course covers all aspects of the game, from technical matters and bio-mechanics to psychology and motivational skills.

Denning, who also coaches the England Disabilities side, emerged top of his class on the course, for which the assessments took place at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough.

He said: “I am really proud of my achievement and the next step for me as part of my continued professional development is to meet with the ECB to look at my options, further develop my coaching skills and existing coaching roles.”

Andy Hayhurst, director of the Lancashire Cricket Board, added: “This is an excellent achievement by one of the leading cricket development managers in the country.

“We congratulate Bobby on his achievement and wish him every success in his future endeavours as a coach. Long may his contribution to Lancashire cricket continue.”