Too close to call

Gloucestershire celebrate last season's Super Cup win

The England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to reintroduce the Benson and Hedges Cup this season was by no means unanimously popular around the county circuit.

But there will no complaints from the hoardes of Glamorgan and Gloucestershire supporters streaming down the M4 to see their sides contest today's final.

The teams took their first steps on the road to Lord's with a game against each other at the start of the group stage of the competition and it was Glamorgan who came out on top in a rain-affected contest by 3 wickets.

The Welsh county, however, are making only their second appearance in a one-day final, while Gloucestershire are bristling with self-belief after last season's double in the Super Cup and NatWest Trophy.

Ian Harvey: Determined competitor

The all-round skills of captain Mark Alleyne and Australian import Ian Harvey help make Gloucestershire a formidable force in the limited overs game.

Balanced against that is the top-level experience of five Glamorgan players who have all appeared in Test cricket - Matthew Maynard, Steve Watkin, Steve James and Robert Croft for England, and Matthew Elliott for Australia.

It has the makings of a close-run contest, although the toss could prove vital if the side bowling first can exploit any moisture in the Lord's wicket.

"Our success has come from hard work, good ethics and a great deal of honesty. The players have dug in, and they are getting the rewards they deserve for those three things," said Gloucestershire's New Zealand coach John Bracewell.

Harvey has been passed fit after a hamstring strain, news which has delighted skipper Alleyne, who believes his side will have to be at their best to come out on top.

Glamorgan's Matthew Elliott: First season - first final

"Glamorgan are a good unit and work well together, have got good depth and a lot of players who contribute. They will be really up for it," he said.

Gloucestershire were in the home dressing room for both finals last season and this time must settle for the visitors' accommodation, but their opponents are not pinning their hopes on lucky omens.

"Having not got to a Lord's final for so long and put in so much effort to get there, the actual occasion could get to us and we may forget about actually winning. That is something we are trying to guard against," said fast bowler Steve Watkin.

"Gloucestershire will be favourites, having got there twice last year and won both times, and they have experience of the big occasion."