DWAYNE SMITH will be using a revolutionary new bat when he bids to fire Sussex to glory in the “Magnificent Seventh” Twenty20 finals today.

The West Indian all-rounder is a fan of the Mongoose bat designed specially for Twenty20 which has a more flexible handle and shorter blade which Mongoose claim will give Smith 20% more power and 15% more bat speed.

Not that the 26-year-old has needed too much help in Sussex’s march to finals day for the second time in three years. He has scored more runs (277), most fifties (two) and hit more sixes (nine) than any of his team-mates ahead of the semi-final against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Edgbaston (11.30am).

He revealed: “I’ll have two bats with me. I normally start my innings with the CoR3 which is beautifully balanced and then I’ll use my MMi3 and let them have it with both barrels! “We’re going to be very tough to beat today. The lads were all upset after we lost the Lord’s final to Hampshire because we didn’t play as well as we can. It’s great to have the chance to make up for it.”

If Sussex reach the final they will guarantee their place in the Champions League in India between October 8-23. However, Deccan Chargers, whom Smith helped reach the final of the Indian Premier League in May, would have first call on his services.