DARYL Mitchell is happy to be the old dog playing new tricks as Worcestershire gun for T20 Blast glory at Edgbaston.

The Badsey-born 34-year-old has been entrusted with ball more than bat in white-ball cricket this season, heading to crease just six times in 13 T20 appearances.

Having contributed 10 wickets the veteran has still played his part in the Rapids securing a place in the showpiece for the first time in club history.

It marks a change for the New Road legend, who still regularly tops the order in the County Championship, but one he is comfortable with making.

“It probably shows the depth of the squad that I have spent most of it batting at eight or nine without getting a hit,” said Mitchell.

“We have relied more on the ball which is certainly a change for me but one I have relished.

“You look at the power and ability at the top of our order and you see some fantastic strikers, guys who can win you a game from anywhere.

“The difference is having the bowlers who can do that as well. Pat Brown and Wayne Parnell have done a cracking job, so has Luke Wood on loan from Notts.”

Finals Day kicks off with Worcestershire tackling Lancashire (11am), one of the teams they defeated in the group stage, to decide who faces Sussex or Somerset in the final (6.45) on Saturday.

The bookmakers have the Rapids down as one of the marginal outsiders long with their semi-final opponents but Mitchell believes the team that can perform under the spotlight of a bumper crowd should emerge victorious in Birmingham.

“You look at a club the size of Lancashire and they are expected to do well and win competitions but we beat them in the group stages,” said Mitchell.

“It will be a good game of cricket. Jos Butler’s return will give them a massive lift but we will have the same with Moeen Ali.

“It is all about performing well on the day, executing skills as well as you can and enjoying the occasion.

“If we play our best cricket we’re certainly a match for anyone in the country.

“One thing we have done well this time is play with a degree of freedom. The group has bought into that philosophy and Finals Day should not be any different.

"We should enjoy the day, the atmosphere and play our best cricket from the first ball to the last. It is a cliché to say we will take every ball as it comes but it is true, that’s all you can do."