By Nick Hoult BBC Sport Online

As a steam train enthusiast and chess-playing computer graduate, Neil Carter is not your stereotypical sporting hero.

But after his last ball exploits in the semi-final against Lancashire, that is exactly what he is to Warwickshire fans.

When number 11 batsman Carter swept the last ball of the match from Glen Chapple for four, his reputation soared, and got a crucial season for the 27-year-old off to a great start.

With his contract up at the end of the summer left-arm seamer Carter has a point to prove to the Edgbaston committee, and a copycat performance at Lord's will go some way to ensuring his long-term future in Birmingham.

"Everyone was giving me different advice but I made up my mind hours before hand that I was going to play that shot," he said about his last ball boundary.

Bob Woolmer brought Carter to Edgbaston from Boland

"The final will be the biggest game of my life. I've always dreamed of playing in a Lord's final and I was at the last one Warwickshire played in a couple of years ago.

"We lost that day and the disappointment was huge so I want to make sure I get a winners' medal.

"We have not won a trophy for five years and as one of the bigger counties in the country, it's important we start winning.

"Winning a trophy this year will put the club back on the right track.

"I never thought I would play at Lord's never mind think I could be close to winning a final there. Playing will be a test but I have had a couple of good performances recently.

"This was an important year for me. I'm only under contract until the end of the season and it's important for me to perform as much as possible. I've worked hard over the past year on my game to get fit and improve."

Important year

Born in Cape Town, Carter qualifies for British citizenship through his parents, and is determined to prove he is not simply playing in this country to pick up a hefty pay packet.

In order to qualify to play for Warwickshire he had to convince Boland to sign him as an overseas professional where he was spotted by former Warwickshire opener Andy Moles, who put him in touch with Edgbaston director of cricket Bob Woolmer.

"I played club cricket over here for a few years but to qualify I had to have not played first-class cricket in any other country for 12 months before becoming eligible to play here.

Neil Carter is congratulated by his teammates after getting them to Lord's

"There is a big myth about players like me. People think we are only over here on a dodgy EU passport to learn our game before going back to play for South Africa.

"That is not true. By playing over here we forfeit any chance of playing for South Africa so I'm here to stay.

"Playing in this country has taught me a lot about cricket. The pitches are slower and lower than in South Africa which means you have to be far more disciplined to get wickets.

"Line and length become so much more important.

A serious knee injury curtailed Carter's early career and he did not make his first-class debut until the age of 24.

It allowed him to complete his computer studies and follow his passion of photographing steam trains.

"The background on my laptop is of a steam train and the players take the mickey out of me for that," he said.

"My dad has his own locomotive and I got into it through him. It's a worldwide hobby and a good way to relax."

Alongside a picture of his favourite steam train could sit one of Carter holding up the B & H Cup if he repeats his recent feats.

That would cap a remarkable few weeks for a player who has only been making a living from the game for little more than two years.