ASHLEY Giles is relishing his return home to Edgbaston today for NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day – but insists he will have no qualms with upsetting a few of his old mates.

The Lancashire cricket director and head coach gets his first taste of what many believe to be English domestic cricket’s showpiece occasion when, first of all, the Lightning take on Hampshire in a 2.30pm semi-final.

He then dreams of facing Birmingham Bears in a repeat of last year’s final.

Giles, who has confirmed that a new three-year contract has been signed by Bolton’s Karl Brown, spent the majority of his career with the Bears.

He won trophies as a player and a coach before leaving them in late 2012 to take on the England limited overs coaching role.

He lost that job before joining Lancashire last winter, and his first season has been a successful one so far.

They are flying high at the top of the LV= County Championship Division Two, with promotion set to be sealed next week. And they have gone through the gears in the T20 competition after a topsy-turvy start.

Now he wants something to show for that effort.

Last month when Lancashire beat Birmingham at Edgbaston to all but seal qualification for the knockout rounds of this competition, Giles spoke then about his dream of returning for repeat clash in the final.

That is within a whisker of becoming a reality as Birmingham face Northamptonshire in today’s first semi-final.

“It will be great going back,” said the Edgbaston life member. “It is exciting. You are edgy and nervous about the day, but it also feels like Christmas is on its way. You just hope the presents are what you want.

“The first time I went back there was as England coach in the Champions Trophy in 2013.

“I went back for the Australia game and then the final. Going back for the final was big, but going back there and it's Lancashire v Birmingham in the final, or whoever it is in the final, would be brilliant.

"I always feel incredibly welcome at Edgbaston. I have spent a huge part of my career there, most of my career there. They always welcome me back in with open arms - and the family.

"But make no mistake, we are going there, as we did for the T20 group match, for a Lancashire win.”