Imran Tahir is confident spin can be a key factor in his Hampshire Hawks side lifting the Friends Provident Trophy on Saturday against Sussex Sharks.

The Hawks, who lifted the trophy in 2005 but were crushed in a one-sided final two years later, will take on the Sharks who are five-time winners of the flagship one-day tournament.

And the much-travelled spin king, who played a key hand in Hampshire reaching the final, is confident his side have the talent and know-how to lift the trophy at the end of his first Lords final.

“I’m feeling very confident,” Tahir told ECBtv.

“Lord’s is always special and every cricketer dreams of playing at Lord’s. I’ve played there before, but this is my first final for any county, which will obviously make it extra special.

“They (Sussex) are a good side but we’ve been playing good cricket. We’ve got good strengths from a batting an bowling point of view and we’re a good fielding side as well.

“We are pretty confident to win the trophy, but it depends. Who plays best on the day will win it.”

Tahir beleives the guile of spin bowling still has a key part to play, and is hoping to build on his 3-38 figures in the Hawks’ semi-final triumph over Lancashire.

“It was a special effort from all the boys to get there (the final).

“It’s been proven spinners are always in the game whatever form. I think spinners still have a big role in any kind of cricket.

“We’ve got a pretty good fielding side as well and if you take the chances you are always in the game - catches win matches

“We’ve been playing good cricket lately, so we will see how it goes.”

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