MARK Fell has urged Lincolnshire's players to remember how they reached the Minor Counties Championship showpiece as he bids to avoid more final heartache.

Lincs' recent record in finals is a tale of woe. In 2008, the Imp County somehow lost a weather-affected final to Berkshire inside the final two days.

Earlier this summer, they under-performed in the final of the MCCA Knockout Trophy at Durham, where they lost by seven wickets to Shropshire.

Fell admits the gravity of the occasion affected some players' performances in both games, but is confident the next four days in Bournemouth will not be the setting of an unwelcome repeat.

"I think the occasion has got to some of the players in the past," confessed director of cricket Fell.

"In the one-day final, I don't think it got to the batters, although some of them played shots they wouldn't normally play to get out.

"But I think it got to the bowlers, but hopefully that experience will put them in good stead.

"The more you play in these pressure situations, the easier it should get.

"And they've got to remember why they're in the final. They're there because they're part of a good side that has played some brilliant cricket to get this far.

"It's not like we've been struggling and finishing second or third-bottom – we've won a tough league and we deserve to be in the final."

Fell has named a squad of 12 for the final, which includes Boston player Colin Cheer.

Cheer has made just one other appearance for Lincs this season, in the dominant victory over Norfolk.

Despite bowling just six wicketless overs, Fell insists the seamer is a logical choice.

"If you look at the league (ECB Premier), Colin is right up there," added Fell.

"As Stuart Airey (back) is injured and Andy Carter is unavailable, we need an opening bowler.

"Colin can do that job. Brett Houston is more effective when the ball gets older so we'd rather he didn't open the bowling."

Lincs (from): Birch, Dobson, Atri, Dowman, Cook, Andrews, Burford, Houston, Onyon, Osmond, Cheer, Darke.