MARTIN van Jaarsveld aims to deliver a knock-out blow when two big-hitting stars enter the Lowerhouse 'arena' tomorrow.

In the red corner is Jacques Rudolph, gearing up to score a massive 170 to smash Lowerhouse's professional batting record.

In the blue corner is Enfield's van Jaarsveld, current holder of that record and keen to preserve it.

South African Rudolph will be aiming to whack the ball all over in his final game for the Liverpool Road club before he returns home on Sunday.

Van Jaarsveld, meanwhile, will be on the defensive keen to make sure his countryman finishes well below the 1,260 required.

"I obviously enjoy going to Lowerhouse as there is good friendly rivalry between me and my former team-mates and now me and Jacques," said Van Jaasveld.

"Records are there to be broken but obviously I want to keep it.

"Hopefully by the time I come on to bowl he will be out so I won't have to face him.

"But it would be sad if I lost it, there is pride involved, but if anyone has to beat it I would rather it be Jacques as he is quality."

It may seem an impossible ask for Rudolph to get the giant score but Van Jaarsveld thinks he stands a chance, especially as Ramsbottom's Michael Clarke cracked a 200 earlier in the season.

"Anything can happen on the day, especially if the weather stays decent and if Jacques gets a good start."

It has been an outstanding season for youngster Rudolph who rewrote the league's record when he hit five successive centuries.

"He started slowly but I knew once he got going that he would come good," said van Jaarsveld.

"I knew from South Africa that once he goes on a good run he cashes in.

"It happened last year and that is how he got into the South African 'A' side. He got three centuries in four games so I knew it was going to happen at some stage this season."

It hasn't been a bad season for Van Jaarsveld either. Last summer, in his second season at Enfield, he came close to breaking their club record.

It hasn't quite gone to plan this season, mostly due to the weather, although he has still got close to 1,000 runs and has helped Enfield into the second spot - one of their best seasons since the 1970s.

And the good news is that the 26-year-old has committed himself to his fifth year in the Lancashire League. After two years at Lowerhouse, and two at Enfield, he now wants to spend another year at Dill Hall Lane.

"I am very happy to come back. I usually only spend two years somewhere so it shows how well I have been looked after.

"I love coming over to England, cricket is a full-time job and I get some rest over here but keep practising.

"It is one of the best leagues in England.

"And this season has been good. Bacup look like they will win it and credit where credit's due, they are a good side.

"We have been a bit unlucky where the games are concerned and we have played some good cricket from time to time.

"We have got some players back like Mas Ahmed and they have made a difference. Last year, we were young and inexperienced but the return of some experienced players has helped us.

"I am just disappointed to miss the last three games," added the professional who goes home on Monday following Sunday's game at home to Accrington, to link up with the South Africa 'A' side for their Test against Australia A.

"I don't like to leave the guys and it is with some regret. I would like to see the season out and make sure they get second spot."

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: Accrington v Burnley; Bacup v Church; Haslingden v East Lancs; Lowerhouse v Enfield; Nelson v Rawtenstall; Rishton v Colne; Todmorden v Ramsbottom.