Durham face Warne battle

Can Shane Warne star in another Lord's final? © Getty Images

There isn't much that Shane Warne hasn't achieved during his illustrious career, but one of the few missing accolades is a medal from a domestic Lord's final. In 2005 he was with the touring Australians when Hampshire beat Warwickshire in the C&G Trophy - keeping in touch by constant text messages - but this year he has the chance to play a leading role himself.

"Last time I had some very important duties to do at Essex as 12th man," he said. "I was a little disappointed they didn't allow me to play but I understood the reasoning that there was one Ashes Test to go and I may have got injured. It's not just another game, we've worked hard to be here."

He has a history with Lord's finals. His previous appearance with a trophy at stake was the 1999 World Cup final when his 4 for 33 paved the way for Australia's crushing victory over Pakistan. Now, with his international career over, Warne's focus is purely on steering Hampshire to more silverware over Durham - who like Warne, are making their first appearance in a domestic final.

It is rare for any team including Warne not to be favourites and with Kevin Pietersen and Chris Tremlett back in county colours, plus Daren Powell's strong form, Hampshire start with their noses in front. However, Durham have made a habit of proving people wrong. Last year they almost made the final and this season overcame Essex in an extraordinary semi-final at Chester-le-Street to take another major stride in their cricketing development.

They have come a long way since Ian Botham, Wayne Larkins and David Graveney lined up for them during their debut season in 1992. The county now provides regular players to the England side and has an impressive turnover of youngsters. But they aren't afraid to tap into the overseas market, either, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul has strengthened the batting for the latter third of the campaign - his run-scoring feats for West Indies in the first half of the season are still one of highlights of the summer.

Steve Harmison's withdrawal with a back problem is a major blow, not necessarily because he has strong recent form with the white ball but because it will deny the crowd a contest with Pietersen. However, there are other match-ups to whet the appetite.

Warne has enjoyed enthralling duels with Chanderpaul and Paul Collingwood. During the winter Warne was always quick to have a few words to Collingwood, often involving MBEs, even after he hit a double-century at Adelaide. "The Friends Provident Trophy would look better on my mantelpiece, and my knighthood is on the way," joked Warne. "Whatever Paul wants to say is fine, if he thinks the trophy would look good next to his MBE, good luck to him."

"I'm just going to get on with my business, he came out and said stuff, if that made him feel better and helps him prepare - good old tough Paul - then good luck to him. We're just going to go out and play."

Collingwood continues to be a vital part of the England side and now leads them in one-day cricket, but he remains immensely proud of his North-East roots and encapsulates Durham's spirit. Collingwood, like Durham, has made the most of every ounce of talent.

Nowhere is that more true than with Ottis Gibson, who is having a golden twilight of his career. Earlier this season he claimed all 10 wickets in an innings against Hampshire and is the second-leading bowler behind Mushtaq Ahmed. Not bad for a 38-year-old. At the other end of the age spectrum is Phil Mustard, 24, who is making a strong claim to be considered as England's wicketkeeper, and he won't hold back from attacking Powell and Tremlett with the new ball.

Hampshire, too, have plenty of experience to fall back on. John Crawley has played in six previous Lord's finals (five for Lancashire and one for Hampshire) winning them all, while Shaun Udal captained the team to their 2005 triumph.

With 16 players who are either current or former internationals it has the makings of an outstanding final, and is another chance for county cricket to shine. The romantics will want Durham to claim their first silverware, but Warne doesn't like losing.