SUNDAY is the big one; the game that every player in the Foster’s Lancashire League wants to be involved in; the game they all want to win.

It is, of course, the Worsley Cup final – a competition that catches the imagination of pretty much everybody around the league and a whole lot of people from much farther afield too.

Ex-West Indian Test man Brendan Nash is still kicking himself that he never got the chance to play in one and he’s not the only big name to feel that regret.

Viv Richards and Steve Waugh graced the league in the magical summer of 1987...but neither of the two gigantic names of world cricket got the chance of a final.

They both really wanted it as well.

Jon Fielding, who knows a thing or two about league cricket from his terrific career, reckons it’s the biggest game of league cricket anywhere.

He may not be wrong either.

While everyone fancies taking to the field in the Worsley Cup final, just 22 people do get the chance each year.

And this year that chance falls to Rawtenstall and Burnley – and, you know, I can barely wait for Sunday’s showdown in the Rossendale Valley.

Rawtenstall have shocked many teams this season with their displays in league and cup...but not their skipper Vinny Hanson.

Wicketkeeper Hanson is hanging up his gloves at the end of the season and has quietly hinted that this year could be a special one for his men.

The transformation of the club in the past couple of years has been terrific as they have rebuilt following the disaster zone that was 2012 professional Jandre Coetzee. That is down to Hanson and current pro Brett Pelser, who is a serious cricketer.

With Hanson set to retire, the rook would lift off Rocky if he was to get his hands on the main prize on Sunday night.

Burnley too are a club in transformation.

Okay, they won the cup last year but the work behind the scenes at Myprotein Turf Moor suggests that more good times could be around the corner.

They were well fancied to win the league this year – and yes, I did tip them so that’s my fault then – only to wait an age for a first win.

But they have been good in the cup and professional Chris Holt is one of the good guys.

Holt has never let any of his sides down yet has received far too much stick over the course of a tough season.

It was the Worsley Cup that first got Holt interested in cricket – and anyone who knows the ex-Read, Colne and Padiham man will not begrudge him a shot at the silverware.

There are many more subplots to a game that promises so much...we have had some good finals over the years and this could be up there with the best.

There is a real buzz around both clubs and a real buzz from the area’s cricket fans.

This is a game that matters.