CAPTAIN Simon Watkins is confident that Bournemouth’s t20 pedigree could prove crucial to their bid for glory tonight.
The Lions are preparing to lock horns with Havant – their Division One title rivals – in the Southern Premier League t20 Cup final at the Rose Bowl (7pm).
Winners of the competition in 2008, the Chapel Gate outfit went on to achieve national success when they claimed the ECB Cockspur Club Twenty20 Cup at Derby in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
As well as Watkins, six other survivors from that famous victory are set to feature in tonight’s showpiece, including batting star Nick Park, all-rounder Mark House and vice-captain James Park.
Previewing the final, Watkins told the Daily Echo: “All of us have played 20-over cricket since we were 11 so we have had enough practice.
“Our experiences of getting to the nationals and playing in those pressure situations will be great to look back on.”
Watkins added: “We have a very young team and we have got a pretty good formula for Twenty20 cricket.
“Everyone knows their individual roles and knows what is expected of them.
“We want to progress as far as we can because when we won it, we loved the pressure games in the national competition.”
Bournemouth will be hoping Nick Park fires with the bat, as he goes into tonight’s game boasting a hugely impressive t20 CV.
In the run to this year’s final, the Dorset opener starred in round one (64 v New Milton), round three (63 v St Cross Symondians) and in the semi-finals (37 v Bashley).
Park was also player of the tournament in the 2009 ECB Cockspur Club Twenty20 Cup and 2008 SPL t20 finals days.
Former Lions man Scott Mills, who helped the club to national silverware two years ago, is set to line up for Havant.
Bournemouth have an injury concern over teenage batting star Michael Porter, while Dorset all-rounder Matt Metcalfe has opted to make a rare t20 appearance.
Bournemouth Lions: (from) Watkins, N Park, Porter, J Park, House, Butler, Metcalfe, S Ridley, C Ridley, Smith, Staniford, Evans.
