By Andrew McKenzie

Mustard (left) is ready to take on Shane Warne

Durham wicket-keeper Phil Mustard has played down the threat of legendary spinner Shane Warne ahead of Saturday's Friends Provident Trophy final.

Warne took 11 wickets when Hampshire beat Durham at the Rose Bowl in June.

But Mustard told BBC Sport: "It'll be a new wicket at Lord's and he won't spin it as much as he would on a used pitch.

"That's a bonus for us - the pitch might be in our favour. I think we'll go in with the seamers and there will be more in it for them."

Saturday's final promises to be a thrilling climax to the competition if the two previous meetings between the two counties is anything to go by.

They have played out a couple of closely-contested County Championship games this season.

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Last month they were involved in a thriller at the Riverside, with a last-wicket partnership of David Griffiths and Michael Brown frustrating Durham's victory hopes.

A Warne-inspired Hampshire won the first clash, with the Australian finishing with figures of 11-133 in a thrilling 50-run win.

Mustard said: "We had a good game up here where we nearly won and they beat us at their place so hopefully we can get revenge on Saturday. I'm very confident of victory."

Hopefully this winter I can get on the England A tour Phil Mustard

Mustard has been one of the keys to Durham's passage to the final.

Only four other players have scored more runs than the 24-year-old Mustard in the 50-over competition this season.

The big-hitting left-hander's success even prompted talk of him as a potential England player for the upcoming World Twenty20.

He opens the batting in limited-overs cricket for Durham and recently showed his explosive qualities in the county game when he smacked 76 off 58 balls to lead them to an unlikely win over Warwickshire.

Mustard is keen to concentrate on his form for Durham, but is hopeful that a good performance in Saturday's match can help push his claims for winter recognition.

He said: "My next step is to continue trying to get runs for Durham more often and doing what I can - then hopefully this winter I can get on the England A tour.

"If I manage that and have a good winter then who knows?"

The man nicknamed 'The Colonel' has worked closely with Durham's head coach Geoff Cook to try and improve his game.

"We speak regularly about a few minor things," said Mustard. "We've been mainly trying to improve my batting, working on my concentration and trying to take more responsibility and this year it is paying off.