DELIGHTED pro Chris Holt has heaped praise on his Burnley team-mates after they put poor league form behind them to scorch into the final of the Foster’s Worsley Cup on Sunday.

The defending champions were big winners over Nelson at Myprotein Turf Moor and will now travel to face Rawtenstall in the Lancashire League’s Blue Riband event on Sunday, August 10.

And Holt, 25, is already relishing what will be the biggest game of his career.

“I can’t wait for the final,” he said. “Anyone who has ever watched a Worsley Cup final knows just how big a game it is and that’s why you play the game. You want to play in front of the big crowd with that sort of atmosphere.

“There has been a lot of pressure on us this season with people tipping us for the title and obviously that has not panned out as we would have wanted.

“But we have been good in the cup and the lads stepped up to the plate on Sunday.

“Dan Pickup was brilliant. He made a ton on Saturday and then backed that up with 70 in the semi-final and Chris Burton got a ton last weekend and batted well again on Sunday.

“And as for Michael Brown, I am amazed at how good he is.”

The Burnley chairman and former Middlesex, Hampshire and Surrey opener who averaged more than 34 throughout his First Class career shone yet again with a sparkling half-century to give his side the momentum to go and post a big score and Holt was fulsome in his praise.

“I had scratted around for 25 overs to make 40-odd on a tough-ish track and Browny came in when I was out,” said Holt.

“I went into the dressing room to take my pads off and when I went back out he was on 20-odd. I couldn’t believe it – and he almost caught Dan Pickup up.

“Browny makes cricket look so easy and we can all take so much from him.”

While Holt can’t wait for the final he also wants to see Burnley go on a run before the game at The Worswick Memorial Ground and added: “That is just what we need now.

“We have had a couple of good results in the last few weeks and it would be good to add to those.

“Over the next few matches we play some of the sides down around us and if we can string a few wins together we can take more confidence going into the final.

“It will be a brilliant day and a good final between two good sides.

“Rawtenstall are a good team and a brilliant set of lads so I really can’t wait.”