Burnley look to break own record

An unprecedented clean sweep of domestic trophies in the Lancashire League has failed to quench an irrepressible thirst for success and now Bharat Tripathi’s side is on the cusp of eclipsing one of their own records.

On Sunday, as the time hits 12-30 p.m. at Turf Moor, the undisputed Worsley Cup champions will bid for an unprecedented third successive title defence in the competition against Haslingden in a repeat of the 2013 final.

Three years ago knocks of 82 from Qasim Ali and Michael Brown, with the latter unbeaten, saw the hosts triumph by a margin of 85 runs and capture the historic piece of silverware for the first time in almost three decades.

Tripathi, who was the first captain at the club to win the trophy since Roland Harrison – who sadly died on Tuesday – in 1984, said: “It was incredibly special in 2013 – it was the first time that we had won it since 1984. Aside from the Twenty20 competition it was the first major trophy that we’d won in the Lancashire League since 2006.

“It was a superb day and to follow that up with two more and create history is absolutely brilliant. To have that cup in our possession for that amount of time is great.”

Burnley haven’t lost in the knockout in 15 fixtures now, with their last reversal being inflicted by Nelson at Seedhill in May 2012.

The club has evolved at a staggering rate since then. “I remember watching my brother (Vishal) play in his first Worsley Cup final for Lowerhouse in 2004 and I watched Burnley play in 2006,” said Tripathi.

“I told my dad (Pankaj) that I would love to play in a final of the competition - they’re great spectacles.

“At one point I thought I would never get the chance to play in one. We missed out in two semi-finals so I didn’t think it was ever going to come around.

“But we haven’t lost in the competition since May 2012 now. A friend sent me pictures of me and him lifting the trophy in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Now we’re looking to add to that. It could be our fourth in a row.”

The skipper added: “To win it four years in a row would be fantastic and the motivation is certainly there to ensure that the trophy stays with us.

“It’s such a lucrative day for a host side. It can raise a lot of funds for the cricket club. Both sides involved are part of a real spectacle. The competition has a huge profile and the reward is a beautiful, historic trophy.

“Everything about it is as good as you’ll see in amateur sport. People come from other leagues to watch it. It’s exciting, traditional and the showpiece of the Lancashire League. We’re ready to put on a show.”

Meanwhile, Burnley travel to Rishton in the league tomorrow.

* General information - Car parking: players, sponsors, the league executive, disabled spectators and registered volunteers are asked to park behind the club house. Spectators must park on the adjacent Burnley Football Club car park.

Tickets and programmes will be available on the day, priced at £4 and £3 for concessions.