By Martin Gough

Rikki Clarke made his Surrey debut at 20, was in the England squad before his 21st birthday and played two Tests aged 22.

TWENTY20 CUP FINALS DAY Saturday, 30 July 1130 BST First semi-final: Surrey v Lancashire 1430 BST Mascot race 1500 BST Second semi-final: Leicestershire v Somerset 1915 BST Final Live commentary of all three matches on BBC Radio Five Live and this website

Last year, though, he appeared to drop out of the international reckoning and there were rumours he was unhappy at Surrey and was angling for a move.

At Christmas he was caught racing an England A team-mate at 125mph down the M1 in his BMW, adding credence to whispers he had too much too young.

This year, he says, he has taken a "more mature" approach.

But Saturday's Twenty20 Cup finals day, when crash-bang cricket reaches its annual climax on his home turf at The Brit Oval, might not be the best place to see it.

"My team-mates say I only perform when we're on TV," he tells BBC Sport.

"There's been a couple of times when the cameras have been there and I've got runs.

"Twenty20 is a great game, a fast game and it's bringing in different crowds to watch it. It lifts you - it's an exciting day for everyone."

This year I can concentrate on being a member of the team week in, week out, and forget about the bigger picture of playing for England. Rikki Clarke

Clarke proved his ability to rise to the occasion when he hit a century on his first-class debut, and again when he took a wicket with his first ball for England.

Consistency has been a while coming but his bowling this year has been widely praised, and he is becoming a solid middle-order batsman.

He has abandoned experiments with his preparation at the crease and his grip on the bat, and gone back to the upright style that brought his early success.

"I've gone back to what I know, what I felt was comfortable and it's worked for me - I'm having a much better year," he says.

"I've matured a lot more, taken on a bit more responsibility, knowing my role in the side a lot more and knowing my game a lot more.

"This year I can concentrate on being a member of the team week in, week out, and forget about the bigger picture of playing for England."

The chance of re-selection, however, might not be too far off.

If Andrew Flintoff were injured, you could count on the fingers of one hand the number of eligible direct replacements.

TWENTY20 WICKETS IN 2005 62 - Warwickshire 57 - Lancashire 57 - Somerset 57 - Surrey 48 - Glamorgan 47 - Yorkshire 46 - Derbyshire 44 - Leicestershire 43 - Middlesex 42 - Gloucestershire (Semi-finalists in bold)

Right now, though, there are more immediate concerns as Surrey look to gain their second Twenty20 crown in the third year of the competition.

Clarke has played a large part in getting them there, taking 10 of the 57 wickets the Lions have taken in the competition so far.

All eyes are on batsmen but of those topping the wicket table only Warwickshire - who Surrey beat in a controversial bowl-out after a tie in the quarter-final - are not in the final four.

"From the first time we played Twenty20 we've been taking wickets and whacking runs," says Clarke.

"In some games we haven't put decent totals on the board but we've managed to bowl sides out cheaply.

"If it ain't broke don't fix it. It's been working for us to be aggressive, and if you take wickets it puts pressure on the lower order to try and get runs."

Surrey beat Lancashire by a single run in the semi-final 12 months ago and, from what Clarke says, Saturday's repeat fixture could also be nail-biting.

"Last year they were very strong but they're a bit stronger this year," he says.

"But we've got an attitude that it's not over 'til it's over; if it's mathematically possible, we still believe we can win."