JACQUES Rudolph helped Lowerhouse seal a place in the Worsley Cup semi-final for the first time in 22 years despite knowing that former South African skipper Hansie Cronje had died that morning.

South African Rudolph, who has been called up to his country's 31-man training squad in preparations for the World Cup, heard while he was bowling that the Cronje - who was found guilty of match-fixing and banned from the professional game in October 2000 - had been killed in a plane crash.

Cronje, 32, was still held in great esteem by many in the cricketing world, including Rudolph, for his great leadership skills and his successful spell as captain. He had been rebuilding his life following his ban.

The sad news, however, didn't stop Rudolph performing with both bat and ball to give Lowerhouse a huge last over victory against local rivals Burnley.

The 21-year-old hit a vital 62 - including nine fours and two sixes - and took three wickets to help his side to a four wicket victory in a competition they have never won.

And he is now enjoying his cricket after finally coming to terms with the English wickets following a lean start to his Transco Lancashire League career.

"I think the first two or three weeks were tough. When you play in the South Africa the wickets are a lot harder and it is easier to bat on but I have adapted to the conditions now.

"It was good fun out there, it was good, I took responsibility although I did throw it away at 64."

It is Rudolph's second high score in a week after an unbeaten 101 the weekend before and he said he is glad to be making his mark at Liverpool Road.

"I was really chuffed with the century. I felt relieved. I have worked hard on my cricket over here and I have reaped the rewards. I have kept a positive frame of mind and, fortunately, it has paid off."

It was a big game for Lowerhouse to win against their Burnley rivals although it had been billed as the clash of the best mates.

Rudolph lives with Burnley pro Pierre Joubert and plays in the same team, Northern Titans, in their homeland.

He said his friend would be a bit 'grumpy' that Burnley had lost.

"We knew it would be a competitive game as it is a local derby but me and Pierre talked about it and said we just had to treat it as another game. If people expect too much then there is a lot of pressure to perform, which doesn't always help. I wasn't focussed on it as a derby but just another game.

"I heard from my team-mates after the game that it is 22 years since Lowerhouse reached the semi-finals so for me as a pro I would like to take them into the finals and win it."

Burnley were disappointed they hadn't set Lowerhouse a higher target, ending on 198 all out after they had reached 190-6 before a the lower order fell cheaply.

Burnley skipper Andy McLeod had hit shots all round Turf Moor, performing a captain's innings and top scoring with 45 before he gifted Rudolph an easy catch off the bowling of Matt Hope.

Highly-rated youngster Jonathan Clare chipped in with 42 but he was also a victim of Matt Hope - the Lowerhouse captain finished with 3-26 from his ten overs.

Joubert made 36 - he was dropped by Rudolph on one - while David Brown had earlier boosted the score with 27 but the 199 target was always going to be possible for Lowerhouse with Rudolph in his current form.

But it wasn't all down to the paid man. Chris Bleazard (37) and David Whalley (33 not out) steadied the ship after the fall of the pro although Burnley made several appeals, including an lbw shout from Stephen Holden with Bleazard on zero.

Bleazard was eventually caught by Joubert while soon after McLeod made a good catch running backwards after Frankie Entwistle (five) had lofted a shot.

At 175-5 with five overs left - and with the help of a staggering 34 extras - Lowerhouse seemed safe but Matt Hope then went for a duck.

They still had wickets in hand however and Charlie Cottam and Whalley held firm to take Lowerhouse past the target in the final over.

"It is just a case of taking every game as it comes but it would be fantastic to get Lowerhouse into the final of the cup," added Rudolph.

"I am settling in now and working hard and I am chuffed with the call-up to the World Cup camp.

"I had hear rumours I had been called up but I phoned my dad who confirmed it.

"I have got to believe I am a match for people like Gary Kirsten and keep working hard and stay focussed."