Burnley Vs Lowerhouse: T20 Quarter Final
Following a successful final set of group stage games, Burnley look to continue their campaign, aiming to book a finals day spot for the first time since 2023. After our lads managed to leapfrog both Nelson and Colne to continue their excellent record of making it into the knockout rounds. Since the competition was expanded to include a quarter finals in 2016, only once have Burnley failed to make it out of the groups. This underlines the success of the team in this format, having won it three times, only one behind the current record. After missing out on finals day last year, by the barest of margins, the lads will be looking to go one further this year. The quarter final draw threw up a tasty tie, as Burnley head to take on bitter rivals Lowerhouse, and as if that wasn’t enough, a finals day at Haffners Turf Moor is up for grabs for the first time in club history. Those of you reading may remember the Worsley Cup semi final last year, where Burnley upset Lowerhouse on their own ground, to claim the prize of being host for the Worsley Cup final. And I’m sure our lads will be looking to repeat that same success this year.
Eyes will be on Liam Bedford at the top of the batting lineup. Averaging 103 in the competition this year, and striking at 145, he is the stand out batter in the format this year for Burnley, with over 200 runs, with no one else above 100 yet. He will look to be supported by Adam Hodge and Ryan Canning, who both scored unbeaten 50’s in the last game against Nelson, which was Ryan’s only inning in the format this year so far, but has shown in recent weeks how destructive he can be with bat in hand, having scored 72 from 33 in a recent league game. Captain and Professional Ockert Erasmus will be hoping to carry on his immense form with the bat, scoring a combined 194 without being dismissed in his last two league games.
Our bowling attack has been reliant on youth this year, and it has been more than successful. Of the 28 wickets taken in the group phase, 18 are attributed to players all 21 or under. 21 year old Adam Hodge has opened the attack in each game so far, and is the only bowler to achieve a maiden over, followed by Ishaq Khan, Jack Brunt and Aayaan Naveed, the three of them all under the age of 19, with Aayaan the most successful of the young quartet, taking 6 wickets at 12 so far. The pick of the bowlers though has been Ocki, taking 8 wickets at 11, and being the only bowler to go at less than 6 an over. He has led the youthful attack with his experience and skill, as well as managing them with his captaincy.
Burnley Vs Littleborough, Junior Cup Quarter Final
Our twos take the trip to Littleborough in the Lancashire League Junior Cup semi final. Skipper Ben “The Bar” Sutcliffe aiming to defend the trophy won a year ago, and take a step towards winning it for the third time in four years. Our only defeat since in the last three years in this competition came in the 2024 semi finals to eventual winners Great Harwood. Showcasing how strong we have been lately. Having suffered a loss when hosting Littleborough in the second league game this season, Bar will be hoping that his side carry on their recent good run of form, which has seen them win five of their last six in all competitions.
Key performers with the bat to look out for include Aarav Neherkar, averaging 34 and top scoring with 374 runs across the second team this year, including an average of 45 from his last 5 innings in the seconds. There is also Ali Syed who has been averaging close to 31 in the league this year with a strike rate of 91, though he is now averaging 56 across his last 6 games, being not out when chasing in the second innings in 3 of those 6 innings, seeing the game through to the end. Support will be offered by Leo Tomlinson, who is averaging 37 in cup games this year, and has over 230 runs in all competitions, including 17 victims behind the stumps.
Naqi Hassan is proving to be one of the league's better players and all rounders this year. Behind only Aarav having scored 319 runs across all competitions, with an average of 54 in the league. He is also second in terms of total wickets for the seconds this year, with 19 to his name, and the top wicket taker in the cup for Burnley, taking 7 victims at an average of 9, with an economy of 2.5. Proving to be a threat with either bat or ball and a key part of the team.
Selection decisions will need to be made around the bowling attack, with six bowlers being in double digits for wickets taken this year. Bar will be looking to try and fit the father/son duo of Gareth and Oscar Halley into the team, as the only bowlers with 5 wicket hauls this year, three between them in the league. Aayaan Naveed and Hassan Sadaqat are also strong options, both claiming a 4 wicket haul this year, and taking wickets at 20 a piece. The skipper himself being the only other bowler to take a 4fer across the seconds this year in a bowling attack that shares the load around.
Although both games are away, let’s try and support the teams as much as we can and push them all through as victorious in both games!!
Thanks go out to our sponsors.
Senior team sponsor: Ribble Wealth Management.
Home ground sponsor: Haffners Pies
Players Sponsors:
Ockert Erasmus: TJB Community, Grant Cricket.
Liam Bedford: Voodoo Cricket
Jack Brunt: Voodoo Cricket
Leo Tomlinson: Perfectly Glazed