Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 25, 2006 12:37:53 GMT
Saturday will see the second piece of silverware of the domestic cricket season handed out as Sussex take on Lancashire in the C&G final at Lord's.
An intriguing showdown is given extra spice by the fact that the two teams currently sit tied on points at the summit of Division One in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship.
It is also the first final to be played on the back of north and south leagues, with a knock-out format having been employed in the latter stages in previous years.
While the game may appear too close to call, there are plenty of individuals with points to prove going into the showpiece.
Sussex's wicket-keeper batsmen Matt Prior is just one such player having been discarded from England's one-day plans.
The 24-year-old failed to make a half-century in any of his 11 ODI appearances for his country in the subcontinent last winter and has now paid the price having been overlooked not only for the Sri Lanka and Pakistan series, but also for the provisional 30-man party for the ICC Champions Trophy named earlier this month.
However, having consulted a sports psychologist to help improve his game, Prior is now hoping to build on a fine recent run - including a barnstorming 141 against Glamorgan in the Pro40 League - with an eye-catching showing in the C&G finale.
"The one great thing about this final is it's the closest you can get to international cricket in terms of the crowd and media attention," Prior said.
"It's a huge platform on which to perform and if you do it stands out.
"On a personal level I would love to put on a performance that puts me in the shop window again.
"It (being dropped by England) has taken more of a toll than I thought, it's never easy to deal with but it has been especially hard.
"I don't doubt that had a serious effect on my game, it's a huge jolt but quality players will come through it.
"In anyone's career you are going to have ups and downs but it is the quality players that come back.
"My goal, my sole ambition, all my drive is to play for my country."
In what is Sussex's first major final for 13 years, only captain Chris Adams and veteran opener Richard Montgomerie will have any previous experience of such an occasion, but Michael Yardy will be keen to make an impression after his inclusion in England's one-day squad, while Pakistani spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has overcome a shoulder problem and will be fit to play.
Lancashire go into the final on a poor run of form having failed to win a match in any form of the game throughout the month of August.
They played Sussex twice at the start of month, drawing their County Championship encounter and losing out in the subsequent Pro40 clash.
They will be hoping to get back to winning ways at Lord's and have been boosted by the news that Stuart Law, Glen Chapple and Dominic Cork have all been passed fit after picking up minor knocks, and also by Sajid Mahmood's return from England action.
Indian international spinner Kartik Murali has been named in the 14-man squad for the game following his recent return to Old Trafford, but one man not making the trip to London will be James Anderson.
The pace bowler is still feeling his way back to fitness following a stress fracture of his back picked up whilst on England duty and has made the decision to continue his rehabilitation by turning out for local side Burnley rather than cheering on his team-mates.
The 24-year-old admitted it had been a tricky decision, but felt it was in his best interests to get more matches under his belt.
"I thought long and hard about going down to Lord's but I have wished the lads well and I am going to continue with my rehabilitation," he explained.
"It was a hard decision to make. It's a massive day for Lancashire because cup finals don't come along every day, but it may have been even more frustrating just watching.
"I've not had a full season out before so it's been very frustrating, but it's been good to see the lads having a good season.
"I'd really like to play for Lancashire before the end of the season. I'm hoping to get in a couple of Pro40 games but we'll have to wait and see because that is quite a long way off at the moment."
An intriguing showdown is given extra spice by the fact that the two teams currently sit tied on points at the summit of Division One in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship.
It is also the first final to be played on the back of north and south leagues, with a knock-out format having been employed in the latter stages in previous years.
While the game may appear too close to call, there are plenty of individuals with points to prove going into the showpiece.
Sussex's wicket-keeper batsmen Matt Prior is just one such player having been discarded from England's one-day plans.
The 24-year-old failed to make a half-century in any of his 11 ODI appearances for his country in the subcontinent last winter and has now paid the price having been overlooked not only for the Sri Lanka and Pakistan series, but also for the provisional 30-man party for the ICC Champions Trophy named earlier this month.
However, having consulted a sports psychologist to help improve his game, Prior is now hoping to build on a fine recent run - including a barnstorming 141 against Glamorgan in the Pro40 League - with an eye-catching showing in the C&G finale.
"The one great thing about this final is it's the closest you can get to international cricket in terms of the crowd and media attention," Prior said.
"It's a huge platform on which to perform and if you do it stands out.
"On a personal level I would love to put on a performance that puts me in the shop window again.
"It (being dropped by England) has taken more of a toll than I thought, it's never easy to deal with but it has been especially hard.
"I don't doubt that had a serious effect on my game, it's a huge jolt but quality players will come through it.
"In anyone's career you are going to have ups and downs but it is the quality players that come back.
"My goal, my sole ambition, all my drive is to play for my country."
In what is Sussex's first major final for 13 years, only captain Chris Adams and veteran opener Richard Montgomerie will have any previous experience of such an occasion, but Michael Yardy will be keen to make an impression after his inclusion in England's one-day squad, while Pakistani spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has overcome a shoulder problem and will be fit to play.
Lancashire go into the final on a poor run of form having failed to win a match in any form of the game throughout the month of August.
They played Sussex twice at the start of month, drawing their County Championship encounter and losing out in the subsequent Pro40 clash.
They will be hoping to get back to winning ways at Lord's and have been boosted by the news that Stuart Law, Glen Chapple and Dominic Cork have all been passed fit after picking up minor knocks, and also by Sajid Mahmood's return from England action.
Indian international spinner Kartik Murali has been named in the 14-man squad for the game following his recent return to Old Trafford, but one man not making the trip to London will be James Anderson.
The pace bowler is still feeling his way back to fitness following a stress fracture of his back picked up whilst on England duty and has made the decision to continue his rehabilitation by turning out for local side Burnley rather than cheering on his team-mates.
The 24-year-old admitted it had been a tricky decision, but felt it was in his best interests to get more matches under his belt.
"I thought long and hard about going down to Lord's but I have wished the lads well and I am going to continue with my rehabilitation," he explained.
"It was a hard decision to make. It's a massive day for Lancashire because cup finals don't come along every day, but it may have been even more frustrating just watching.
"I've not had a full season out before so it's been very frustrating, but it's been good to see the lads having a good season.
"I'd really like to play for Lancashire before the end of the season. I'm hoping to get in a couple of Pro40 games but we'll have to wait and see because that is quite a long way off at the moment."