Dimi hoping for day to remember

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Friends Life t20 finals day is a special occasion for any player - but there will be few looking forward to Saturday's showpiece more than Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas.

The veteran campaigner is no stranger to the biggest stage, having enjoyed many fruitful years in the south east as well as some glorious moments with England.

Yet merely stepping on to a cricket field seemed unlikely two years ago, when Mascarenhas was left fearing for his career due to a serious Achilles injury.

The problem meant he missed almost the entire season in 2010 - something that was made all the more frustrating by him being sidelined as Hampshire historically won the t20 competition on home ground.

By his own admission, Mascarenhas then got through half of last season "on one leg", which may explain a disappointing showing as the side returned to finals day.

On that occasion, his two overs went for 22 runs as Somerset eventually won the last-four tie against Hampshire in a super over.

Now fully fit, the Royals t20 skipper is ready to deliver on the biggest stage in English domestic cricket.

Dimitri Mascarenhas cannot wait until Friends Life t20 finals day gets under way. "I am just very excited about it," he told ecb.co.uk

"Back then (in 2010), I was officially captain as well and did not play," Mascarenhas told ecb.co.uk. "I am just very excited about it; you do not get to these things every day.

"It is brilliant to be back and part of this side. Last year, I came back and was pretty much playing on one leg.

"I was just pleased to get through half a season, whereas this season the Achilles has come on a lot better. I have played a lot more and am very excited.

"I am captaining in the Twenty20s, which is a great honour that I am very excited about. I am playing well as well, which has been nice.

"Two years ago, I did not even know whether I was going to be playing again. So to be playing in a finals day again is great and I will treasure it.

"We have been lucky enough to get there in the last three years, and hopefully we can play well and go at least one better than we did last year."

Hampshire face a stiff challenge in their bid to reach the finale.

Indeed, opponents Somerset also enjoy remarkable consistency in the game's shortest form having been beaten in the final three years running.

It is, therefore, difficult to pick a winner - though it would be wise to expect a thrilling contest if recent history is anything to go by.

Incredibly, the sides have played out ties in their last two meetings at finals day; Somerset emerged victorious in the aforementioned super over last time out, while the Royals won by virtue of losing fewer wickets in the final a year previous.

One man who remembers both is Neil McKenzie, formerly of Somerset, whose half-century for Hampshire earned him the man-of-the-match award in the 2010 final.

Mascarenhas watches on as Neil McKenzie takes Hampshire into finals day by completing a quite brilliant 79 not out against Nottinghamshire

"We have played the same opposition in two finals days now and nobody has known who's won it," he said.

"Last year, we tied and had the power over or whatever they call it, so hopefully there will be an outright winner at the end of this one. I think the coach is a little greyer (because of the games).

"I try and get runs anytime I go to the wicket, but everyone wants to do well on the big occasions. Hopefully, I can keep doing it and producing that - that's when you want to get them."

The South African's thirst for performing when it matters most was evident once again as his 49-ball unbeaten 79 helped the Royals claim an unlikely four-wicket quarter-final victory over Nottinghamshire.

"It was really good," he said. "I think things have been a little stop-start for me in terms of not getting the runs I wanted in the early stages and there being a bit of rain around.

"So it was good to contribute and get our side over the line."

As an overseas star, South African McKenzie will doubtless be feeling the pressure to deliver more silverware for the Royals.

Yet the burden he faces pales in comparison to that which awaits Mascarenhas, who must marry skippering the side with his role as an all-rounder.

"It is tough," he said. "Everyone knows I have a specific role (with the ball) in that I try and get my four overs out of the way up front.

"I am pretty lucky with the experienced players I have around me. I have the likes of Neil McKenzie and Simon Katich, who are very good at coming up with ideas on the field."

The ability to rely on senior players will undoubtedly ease Mascharenhas - though merely being fully able to perform should bring its own serenity after two frustrating years.

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