Billy Taylor reckons Hampshire can end 12 years of hurt against Lancashire tonight - but he wishes Stuart Law was playing.

Seamer Taylor was denied Law's wicket when umpire Jeff Evans reversed his decision to give the Australian batsman out during Lancashire's one-run totesport National League win at the Rose Bowl eight days ago.

Law's histrionics persuaded Evans to recall the Queenslander, who had given the former Essex batsman out when he mistakenly thought he was walking.

In his next over, and after a few 'choice words', Taylor made sure of Law's wicket - but Lancashire still extended their unbeaten run against Hampshire to 31 games in all cricket.

The good news for Hampshire is that Law (sciatica) is out of tonight's Twenty20 quarer-final tie which is expected to attract another near capacity Rose Bowl crowd.

But Taylor said: "I'm one person that's a bit disappointed that he might not be playing. We also had a little run-in when I was playing for Sussex in a four dayer last year.

"That was pretty much the same thing, there were a few words said on that occasion as well, but it's all harmless banter and we had a beer afterwards.

"We're two very similar charcters, we have a job to do and if you can have a laugh and a joke afterwards and not take it any further that's great, it just show a bit of passion.

Hampshire have not beaten Lancashire since winning a championship match at Old Trafford in 1992.

"It was a shame that we didn't quite finish it and win last week because it was there for the taking," added Taylor.

"But we haven't played Lancashire in the Twenty20 so hopefully it will be a diffeent story.

"When I was at Sussex you could bet any money that we'd get Surrey if we got through to a quarter final and everyone would say we couldn't turn them over. But if you're going to win a competition you've got to beat the best sides."

Hampshire secured tonight's big match by winning successive games against Sussex, Middlesex and Kent after losing at Essex and Surrey.

"We've got to be confident after thrashing two good sides. We've saved it until the last hurdle," said Taylor.

"The way we started was shocking and surprising because I always thought Twenty20 would suit us, which has been shown in the last few games.

"It's been brilliant to play for Hampshire here in front of 9,000.

"When I was at Sussex the capacity was 6,000.

"It's awesome, there's nowhere to hide in Twenty20 cricket, but it helps you raise your game.

"I just wish there were those crowds for four dayers and one dayers.

"You'd be surprised how much home support will get players up for a game.

"It's no excuse that we've given two good sides a thrashing here, and have lost the first two away games where we've been crucified by fans

"Chelmsford was awful, and the so-called riff-raff that come in for the Twenty20 slaughtered me at Sussex.

"We don't expect our crowd to slaughter the opposition but just to be behind us."

Dimitri Mascarenhas had to be replaced in the field by Will Kendall after suffering a shoulder injury during the totesport league loss to Northants at The Rose Bowel yesterday.

Paul Terry and Shane Warne were not available for comment last night but Mascarenhas is expected to be fit to play Lancashire with Hampshire set to make two changes from the side that beat Kent on Thursday.

Shane Warne will make his Twenty20 debut in place of Shane Watson, while Alan Mullally is the man most likely to replace the injured Chris Tremlett, who suffered stress reaction to the metatatarsal bone in his right foot during the Kent match.

Hampshire (possible): Udal, Crawley, Clarke, Lamb, Mascarenhas, Pothas, Prittipaul, Warne, Taylor, Bruce, Mullally.