Norfolk coach Tom New has hailed the brilliance of his captain Sam Arthurton ahead of today's National Counties Trophy final against Cheshire at Wormsley (11am).

Arthurton has been a prolific run-scorer since he made his Norfolk debut as a 16-year-old in 2008, but has added another dimension to his game since he took over the captaincy last year.

Although Norfolk suffered relegation in the Durant Cricket National Counties Championship in his first season in charge, Arthurton and former Leicestershire wicketkeeper/batter New transformed their white ball form and guided them to their first final in 15 years.

New previously had six years as Norfolk’s professional playing alongside Arthurton before succeeding Chris Brown as head coach last winter and he cannot speak highly enough of his former team-mate.

“Sam is a fantastic cricketer all round. The longevity of his Norfolk career suggests that he has been very successful,” New said.

“I would go as far as saying that, in National Counties cricket, he is probably the best batter I have seen and someone who probably should have gone on to play first-class cricket.

“For whatever reason that hasn’t happened for him. But no-one should take away the skill and the ability that Sam has got and everything that he brings to Norfolk cricket.

“What sets him apart is his pure willingness to score runs and his enjoyment for the game. He’s got natural ability but he is always looking to improve his own game and to help improve others.

“He is just such a fine cricketer that words can’t really describe just how good is.

“Last season was his first as captain and you can see the huge improvement and strides forward that he has made in that side of his game going into the final.

“It will be a very proud moment for him leading out Norfolk on Sunday.”

It will also be a proud moment for New who ranks taking Norfolk to the final among the highlights of a career that included eight years with Leicestershire where he was awarded his county cap.

“When I took over from Chris Brown we discussed with the committee about ways of improving our white ball cricket,” New said

“We have looked to do that but I would probably suggest that we are slightly ahead of where I thought we would be. That is a huge credit to all the players who have played throughout the tournament and their ability to take on information and their willingness to learn and improve themselves.

“It would be right up there if we could go on to win it and something that, as an individual and as a coach and for all the lads and the county, that I would be extremely proud of.”

Norfolk’s progress to the final has attracted plenty of local interest with large crowds at the three home matches they played at Great Witchingham and one at Sprowston while pitches at their Manor Park headquarters were being relaid.

“From what I am led to believe the county have put a coach on for supporters and quite a number of them will also be making their own way over to Wormsley,” New said.

“As always that support will be well received by all the players and myself.

“Throughout the tournament we have had good crowds and they have grown in number as we have progressed.

“It’s fantastic to be able to repay that support by getting to a final and hopefully we can go one step further and win it.”

Cheshire have reached their first final in six years by racking up a succession of huge totals then using their three-man spin attack to throttle the opposition’s reply but New and Arthurton hope they have devised plans to keep the likes of Sam Perry, Rob Sehmi and Kevin Carroll quiet.

“We have done a little bit of research. We know that batting is going to be their strength so that is something that we are going have to negate,” he said.

“It’s something we have looked at. Hopefully the plans that we have put in place as a bowling unit and as a side can restrict them.”

An intriguing final between two free-scoring sides is in store with only one certainty: the winning coach will be a former Leicestershire player.

Cheshire are captain and coached – in white ball cricket – by Harry Dearden a Leicestershire player of more recent vintage than New.

“Harry isn’t someone I know particularly but I am fully aware of the career that he had with Leicestershire,” New said.

“I’m sure that we will do battle on Sunday and hopefully have a beer together afterwards.”