PAUL Strang is swapping Lord's for Centre Vale and hoping for a better outcome for his side in tomorrow's EW Cartons Worsley Cup final.

The Haslingden pro helped Zimbabwe reach the final of the recent NatWest series when England triumphed at cricket headquarters.

In his absence Haslingden booked their own final date and following his return to club duty last weekend Strang is now looking to go one better with victory over Todmorden to bring the trophy back to Bentgate after a three-year absence.

"I've not had much to do in the competition. I was away for a couple of weeks and then when I got back we were in the final so the guys have done very well," Strang admitted.

"But the atmosphere in the build-up to the final has been excellent and I am really up for it.

"It's very important for the club and in fact we've got a big weekend. We've got Bacup today which is a hell of an important game in the league and then the final."

And while the leg-spinner hopes the knowledge gleaned from 85 one-day internationals will come in handy he believes that the players who got Haslingden this far will produce the goods again.

He added: "Experience counts for a lot in cricket. I've been there and done it before and hopefully I can give them a bit of advice. "But it's one of those days when the amateurs have to make a contribution too and I've got a lot of faith in them.

"We've got a lot of all-rounders in the side and I'm very optimistic."

However, Haslingden will have to overcome a Todmorden side which beat them in a tight finish earlier in the season and went into today's game at home to Church fourth in the league table.

In former skipper Richard Baigent they have the most prolific amateur batsman in the league, while professional Dan Marsh warmed up with an unbeaten 80 against Lowerhouse last weekend.

Todmorden, who last won the competition in 1982, have been working hard to produce a fitting pitch in a desperately wet week.

And with both sides potentially full of runs, skipper Nigel Hunter believes the most miserly bowling attack could win the day.

He said: "Haslingden are probably one side that could match us on the batting front. They've got players coming in at seven and eight who can cause damage.

"But we've got one of the better top fours in the league and Duncan Parker has come back from Australia and slotted back in well. It's good to have left-hander coming in at number five and gives us a good balance.

"You've got to bat well and perhaps it will be the amateur bowlers who hold the key to it." Haslingden have variety and options in their bowling attack but Hunter believes his side, despite the absence of the injured James Morgan, can continue to confound the doubters in that department, spearheaded by all-rounder Alec Scholefield. "From a side that at the start of the season people might have said would have one of the weaker attacks, we've got a little bit of depth," he added.

"People who haven't bowled a lot before have come through and done well. Mark Clayton has bowled well and Chris Barker has stepped up form the seconds to take the new ball."

He added: "It's a big game. It's the first time in 37 years we've had the cup final at home and it's great for the supporters.