Worcestershire look to their South African inspirations

The Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy has lost some of its prestige in recent seasons. It is no longer the one-day showcase of the English summer - that honour now goes to the NatWest Series final - while the stunning success of the Twenty20 Cup means that it might not even be the highlight of the domestic one-day season. Nevertheless, a Lord's final is a unique occasion whatever the backdrop, and Saturday's encounter between Gloucestershire and Worcestershire is sure to be a keenly contested affair.

Quite apart from being local rivals, there is likely to be an underlying current of animosity to keep the teams competitive to the bitter end. Last week at New Road, Gloucester emerged victorious in a close encounter of the National League kind, but it is the memory of their C&G fourth-round clash of three years ago that will be the biggest incentive for both sides.

In the 2000 competition, Worcestershire appeared to have won the tie and progressed to the quarter-finals. However, it soon came to light that they had fielded an ineligible player - none other than Kabir Ali, England's latest fast-bowling recruit, who had turned out for Worcestershire's Cricket Board XI earlier in the tournament. This was against the tournament rules, so Gloucester lodged an appeal, earned the right to a replay, and duly went on to retain their title in the final.

Kabir, however, insists that all that was in the past. "There is no tension between the two counties," he said. "The players have forgotten about what happened in 2000 and it wasn't anyone's fault. There was a bit of a misunderstanding. There are no grudges between the players. It is just another game - a big game of course - but it could be Lancashire or Surrey or anyone else that we are playing, because to us the important thing is to try and win the trophy irrespective of the opposition."

Of that there is no doubt, and to boost their prospects, Worcestershire have called once again on the services of their South African overseas player, Andrew Hall. Hall, who was not an original member of South Africa's Test squad, had been given special permission to play in the semi-final against Lancashire, and it was his nerveless final-over maiden - which included three wickets - that inched Worcestershire through by six runs. He has since played a huge role in South Africa's victory over England at Headingley, where he took four wickets and made 99 not out in the second innings. Quite simply, he is in the form of his life.

Worcestershire's second trump card is, funnily enough, another South African. After years on the fringes of the national team, Nantie Hayward opted out of selection for this summer's tour, and instead committed himself to Worcestershire for the entire season. The decision has paid dividends, if at the expense of his international ambitions. He is bowling as quickly as at any stage of his career, and is picking up regular wickets in all competitions. Now, having shaken off a virus, he will form a part of a potent seam attack that includes Kabir and the Australian-born but European-passported pair of Matt Mason and Mark Harrity. The England prospect Gareth Batty is on hand to provide the spin option, plus a handy supply of lower-order runs.

But with Worcestershire rooted to the bottom of the first division of the National League, it is Gloucestershire who will go into the final as favourites. They have been the undisputed kings of one-day cricket in recent years, having won both the C&G Trophy and the Benson & Hedges Cup in consecutive years in 1999 and 2000. And with Ian Harvey and Craig Spearman in superlative form, they were also the early pacesetters in this year's Twenty20 Cup, only to lose to Surrey in a tight semi-final at Trent Bridge.

Gloucestershire's linchpin is their veteran wicketkeeper Jack Russell, who turned 40 last week but is still far and away the finest gloveman in the English game. He is, however, suffering from a back injury, and is only rated 75% fit. If he is forced to pull out, the wicketkeeping duties will pass to Chris Taylor. A decision will be made on Saturday morning between the seamers Jon Lewis and James Averis.

Worcestershire (from) Ben Smith (capt), Stephen Peters, Vikram Solanki, Anurag Singh, Graeme Hick, Andrew Hall, Steven Rhodes (wk), David Leatherdale, Gareth Batty, Kabir Ali, Matt Mason, Mark Harrity, Nantie Hayward.

Gloucestershire (from) Mark Alleyne (capt), Chris Taylor, Craig Spearman, Phil Weston, Ian Harvey, Jonty Rhodes, Jack Russell (wk), Matt Windows, Alex Gidman, Tim Hancock, Martyn Ball, James Averis, Mike Smith