Friends Provident Trophy Final

Tomorrow sees the final of the 2009 Friends Provident Trophy, between South coast neighbours and rivals Hampshire and Sussex. It has been the premier English domestic one day competition since 1963 , and this is third time the final has been under the Friends Provident banner. It began life as the 60 over a side Gillette Cup (65 in it's inaugural year) and Sussex were crowned champions in years one and two. Hampshire had to wait until 1991 for their first win, by which time NatWest had taken over the sponsorship. During NatWest's twenty year association with the competition both sides won it once with Sussex also finishing once as runners up. In recent times, under Cheltenham & Gloucester's charge and now a 50 over showpiece, both sides have picked up one more win each and Hampshire were losing finalists in the first year as the Friends Provident, in 2007. Should Sussex win tomorrow, in their 10th appearance, they would become the first side to lift the trophy in all four guises and move up to second in the all time list with six wins, behind the current pace setters Lancashire.

Route to the Final

Hampshire topped qualifying Group A, winning 5 out of 8 games, thus securing a home quarter final draw where they faced the runners up of Group B, Middlesex.

Batting first Hants posted an imposing total of 310, for the loss of just 4 wickets. Former Yorkshire batsman Michael Lumb scored a better than a run ball hundred, Jimmy Adams 76 from 77 and young England prospect Liam Dawson adding some late sparkle with 51 from 37.

Middlesex had a chance of chasing it down at 207-3 , but lost their last 7 wickets for 81 runs as the rate increased, with only Neil Dexter passing fifty. Billy Taylor was the pick of the bowlers with 3-44.

Sussex finished second in Group C, winning 4 out of 8, and faced Group B winners Somerset.

Somerset scored 285 as the Sussex bowlers struggled, but runs from Ed Joyce (74) Murray Goodwin (93) captain Michael Yardy (57*) saw Sussex home with 5 balls to spare.

In the semi finals Hampshire faced Lancashire, the tournament's most successful side with 8 wins from 11 finals, at Old Trafford while Sussex hosted Gloucestershire.

Hampshire were again indebted to Michael Lumb and Jimmy Adams who both passed 70 as they notched up 271 all out in the 49th over. Lancashire would have gone into reply as strong favourites, but as it was only VVS passed the fifty mark. Skipper Mascarenhas, paceman Chris Tremlett and all rounder Sean Irvine took two wickers each and leg spinner Imran Tahir took 3 as Lancashire limped disappointingly to 207 all out.

Down by the seaside Sussex hammered 326 off the Gloucester attack, Ed Joyce and Murray Goodwin again the stars with 146 and 60 respectively. Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman hit a century in reply, but in vain as his side fell short at 292 all out.

So, going into the final it seems the batsmen are key. The Hampshire side will be hoping their opening pair of Lumb and Adams can continue their form and that their long middle order can all contribute.

Sussex too have batting a plenty, Ed Joyce and Murray Goodwin the key men, Matt Prior may play although if he did it would be a terrible shame on Andy Hodd, who for my money is the best young keeper batsman in the land. Luke Wright and Michael Yardy too will hope to shine on the big stage.

There are no "stand out" bowlers as such, both sides are packed with options but none that will tear through a batting side. My tip for man of the match, a certain Dominic Cork, may disagree with that statement, but the 28,000 or so crowd will hope for sunshine and runs a plenty.

One "person" who will not be present in the Lord's crowd will be Sussex's mascot Sid the Shark who is not allowed in due to Lord's fancy dress ban. Sussex are up in arms about this and even have a petition on their website to fight the ban. I have some sympathy, it does seem rather over the top to extend the ban to the team mascot, but presumably the Hampshire mascot Harry the Hawk has fallen victim of the same ban, and you don't see him getting in a flap about it. I have nothing against Sussex, but they have never been a team I've been able to warm to and 18 years worth of childhood holidays next door in Bournemouth, Dorset, have me nailing my colours firmly to the Hampshire mast for the day.

Best of luck to both teams though, and fingers crossed for decent weather.