IT IS not exaggerating to say that Twenty20 finals day is now the highpoint of the domestic season. The Frizzell County Championship brings greater kudos but is rarely won in front of a full crowd; last year Warwickshire took the title on a day off. As for the totesport League and the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy, they are winding down before a relaunch in 2006.

The shortest form continues to go from strength to strength. Concern that the counties might have stretched the fixture list too far is assuaged by the latest crowd figures that show an average of 6,958 spectators per game this season compared with about 5,800 in 2004. Last winter the format was exported to South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Australia will be the next country to partake.

Players enjoy the experience of performing in front of full houses and the celebrations that followed Leicestershire’s win against Surrey in the final at Edgbaston last year were as jubilant as anything on a cricket field through the summer. Try telling Darren Maddy and his colleagues, or the families who cheered them, that Twenty20 is Mickey Mouse cricket.

Leicestershire are now in the semi-finals for the third time. As always they are unfancied, which would make a successful defence all the sweeter for a side much-changed from 2004. Brad Hodge, Darren Stevens and Damien Brandy have left the staff while Charles Dagnall and John Sadler are injured. A big screen has been erected at Grace Road for those unable to travel to the Oval to lend support.

Somerset oppose them this afternoon and, on paper at least, appear to have the edge with the bat after Marcus Trescothick was cleared by England to join Graeme Smith and Ian Blackwell in the top order. Trescothick may find himself at No 3 if Somerset decide to retain the opening partnership of Smith and Matthew Wood, which has worked well so far.

Bowling is a weaker suit, especially with Gareth Andrew missing because of injury, but there is plenty of experience in Andrew Caddick, Richard Johnson and Keith Parsons, who has been quietly effective in one-day matches for many years. This will be Smith’s farewell for the season but Somerset are negotiating with the United Cricket Board of South Africa to organise his return next summer.

The winners of the first semi-final, between Surrey and Lancashire, will be favourites for the main event in the evening. It seems unfair to place Lancashire first on the bill. Jim Cumbes, the chief executive, estimates that supporters must rise at about 5am to make the 11.30 start, and the last train from London to Manchester leaves at 8.55pm, more than an hour before the final is due to finish.

“It is not enjoyment, it is an endurance test,” Cumbes said. Little wonder, perhaps, that Lancashire have failed to sell their full allocation of 1,600 tickets. There are still 200 or so seats remaining on sale this morning, but the ground should fill to its capacity of 23,000 and spectators have been asked to arrive early to accommodate security checks. Gates open at 9.30am.

While Surrey have an excellent record of staging matches of this stature, geography ought to count against them when counties have to come from all parts for an event that finishes under floodlights. Trent Bridge, which would be more suitable, plays host in 2006.

The most accessible solution is surely to stage the semi- finals and final on separate dates, perhaps over successive Saturdays with 3pm starts.

At least Lancashire can boast the calmest preparation as the only one of the four counties not in action in the round of championship matches that finished yesterday. Their passage thus far has been built on a top three of Stuart Law, Mal Loye and Hodge scoring 956 runs between them, and spin bowlers to finish the job. Hodge is now with Australia, but his absence should be more than compensated for by Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Symonds.

Surrey have overcome the considerable loss of Adam Hollioake, the best player in the brief history of the format, and home support may play a part. They also have inside knowledge of a pitch that is to be used for all three matches. But it will be a surprise if the surface prohibits strokemakers. For that reason, my best guess is that Lancashire will beat Somerset in a high-scoring climax.

NUMBERS GAME

LANCASHIRE
2005 RECORD: Played 9, won 7 (5 batting first, 2 batting second), lost 1, no result 1
BOUNDARY COUNT: Sixes 44, fours 141
BATTING: Highest total: 208-4
BOWLING: Highest total conceded: 198-5

SURREY
2005 RECORD: Played 9, won 6 (4 batting first, 2 batting second), lost 3
BOUNDARY COUNT: Sixes 37, fours 123
BATTING: Highest total: 200-3
BOWLING: Highest total conceded: 177

LEICESTERSHIRE
2005 RECORD: Played 9, won 6 (4 batting first, 2 batting second), lost 2, no result 1
BOUNDARY COUNT: Sixes 23, fours 114
BATTING: Highest total: 178-3
BOWLING: Highest total conceded: 177-5

SOMERSET
2005 RECORD: Played 9, won 5 (3 batting first, 2 batting second), lost 3, no result 1
BOUNDARY COUNT: Sixes 32, fours 154
BATTING: Highest total: 228-5
BOWLING: Highest total conceded: 195-5