JUST a year ago, Tom Smith would have been walking out at Chorley's Windsor Park as the club's professional in the Northern Premier League.

Tomorrow, he'll walk out in front of a packed house at Lord's for the C&G Trophy final against Sussex and he reckons he's going to savour every moment - even though he's hoping not to remember too much of the rest of the weekend..

Smith's rise to national prominence has been nothing short of meteoric.

A rookie at the start of the season, the man from Withnell Fold has been a mainstay in the Lancashire side in all forms of cricket.

And the 20-year-old all-rounder is hoping to continue his dream start to his career by bagging a winner's medal in domestic cricket's showpiece final.

He said: "I'm over the moon. I didn't ever expect to be in a final this early in my career and, in whatever degree I'm involved, it's going to be an amazing experience.

"I was lucky enough to get my chance at the beginning of the season and I've done pretty well and stayed in there ,and hopefully I'll keep my place tomorrow.

"It's every young cricketer's dream to be involved in something like this and hopefully it won't be the last time.

"I've been told it's a better atmosphere than a one-day international so I can't wait.

"I'm going to make sure I take everything and enjoy the occasion - but I'm hoping that Saturday night and Sunday are a blur!"

The Lancashire side of the 1990s were the undoubted one-day kings.

Five trophies, including double Natwest Trophy and Benson and Hedges Cup glory in 1990 and 1996, made Lancashire the most awesome limited overs side of that era.

And Smith remembers watching the likes of Wasim Akram, Michael Atherton and Glen Chapple - the only man left from the Golden era - sweeping all before them.

But Smith is hoping that the class of 2006 can build a new cricketing dynasty.

He said: "The side of the 1990s were awesome but I think we have got a very strong side.

"We have eleven players who can turn a match on it's head. We have a team of potential matchwinners and we'll go into the final full of confidence."

Lancashire and Sussex have fought tooth and nail all season. They are locked together at the top of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship Divsion 1 and are ready for a battle royale at the weekend.

Smith added: "We've played them a few times now so we know all about each other. We'll have a few plans ready for them and with people like Sajid Mahmood and Jimmy Anderson ready to come back into the side we'll be very strong. We want to win this and then concentrate on the county championship."

But tomorrow, Smith knows that he has the perfect shop window to prove that his tag as a future England player is more than deserved.

He said: "It's been a fantastic start to my career and I just hope that, if selected, I can play my part in a Lancashire win."