By Mark Mitchener

Warne is preparing to play in his first domestic final

For a man with more than 700 Test wickets, the legendary Shane Warne is hugely enthusiastic about captaining Hampshire at Lord's on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Australian will lead his county out in the Friends Provident Trophy final against Durham.

"I've never played in a domestic final, so walking out as captain will be a proud moment," leg-spinner Warne said.

"I've captained my state Victoria a few times in Shield games, but never in a final because of international duty."

It is the second time in three years that Hampshire have reached the final of this competition.

They beat Warwickshire when it was still called the C&G Trophy as the glorious, Ashes-dominated summer of 2005 neared its climax.

606: DEBATE Discuss the final with other supporters

However, Warne was away with his country that day - "I was doing the really important job of being 12th man for Australia at Essex", he quipped - leaving the south coast side under the charge of his deputy Shaun Udal.

Since then, Udal has suffered the highs of a Test call-up and bowling England to a memorable victory in Mumbai - and the lows of being frozen out of the international scene since then.

But that Saturday evening in September 2005 was clearly a golden moment for the 38-year-old - who is hoping to become the first and only Hampshire player to play in four Lord's finals, but is happy to be returning to the ranks.

Udal lifted the C&G Trophy in Warne's absence in 2005

"Lifting that trophy was the proudest honour of my cricketing life," he said.

"After about 25 overs of the Warwickshire innings, we were second favourites, but the noise our supporters generated when we needed them, when Andy Bichel waved his arms and got them going, was fantastic.

"But at this stage of my career, this could be my last big final, so it'll mean just as much to me if Warnie lifts the trophy - I just want to be involved."

This is Durham's first Lord's final - but although Hampshire were the last of the previous 17 first-class counties to make it to a showpiece occasion at cricket's headquarters, they have a 100% record from previous appearances in 1988, 1991, 1992 and 2005.

"Half of the Durham side won't have played in a final like this before, but they're still a very strong side," Udal warned.

"Michael Di Venuto and Phil Mustard have got them off to fliers in one-day cricket this season - we'll give them respect, but we won't fear them."

Both counties learned on Monday that their England players - Durham's Paul Collingwood, and England trio Kevin Pietersen, Chris Tremlett and Dimitri Mascarenhas - have been given permission to play, despite the final taking place three days before the start of the one-day series against India.

"KP's a world-class player and with him, Warnie, Chris, John Crawley, Dimi, Daren Powell and myself, we've got a lot of international cricketers and I hope that experience will help," Udal said.

"But Warnie's our talisman, and he always seems to rise to the big occasion.

The highlight of my Hampshire career will be when we win the Championship Shane Warne

"The thing that sets him apart from other overseas player is his passion and commitment for Hampshire.

"He was man-of-the-match in the World Cup semi-final and final in England in 1999, but I know how much he's looking forward to it and how determined he is to lift that trophy."

However, Warne himself is aiming even higher - insisting his side are still "in great shape" to challenge for the County Championship and Pro40 titles this season as well.

"I think we're playing some excellent cricket, and I'm just as excited as everyone else," he said.

"Lord's is a great place to play cricket, but the highlight of my Hampshire career will be when we win the Championship.