DAREN Powell is ready to pit his wits against his West Indies teammate Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the Friends Provident Trophy final against Durham on Saturday.

West Indies quick Powell, Hampshire's fastest bowler since Malcolm Marshall, did not know he would be playing in a Lord's final when he signed a short-term contract last month.

Now the 29-year-old is looking forward to maintaining the raw pace he has shown in his three weeks with the Hampshire Hawks.

Powell, a genuine strike bowler, has conceded more than a run-a-ball in three one-day games for the Hawks while taking nine wickets at 14.66.

He also has ten wickets at just 12.5 in the County Championship and now has Chanderpaul and the rest of the Durham top-order in his sights.

Powell said: "We're good friends off the field, we've known each other for about seven years and everybody is looking forward to the competition between us.

"He's a great player. He's very determined and once he gets in he doesn't want to get out, he wants to bat and bat and bat.

"But I love to bowl and take wickets so I'll have to go out there and try and get his scalp."

Full story in today's Daily Echo