BRETT D’Oliveira reckons Moeen Ali’s “aura” can help Worcestershire handle the heat of a first trip to Finals Day.

After five quarter-final appearances in the 15 years since the T20 competition's inception, the Rapids have finally made the cut and face Lancashire Lightning in the first semi-final tomorrow (11am).

D’Oliveira supplied four of the wickets that saw Worcestershire through in the quarter-final against Gloucestershire, a match in which skipper Moeen did not enjoy his finest hour.

But Worcester-born-and-raised leg spinner was quick to highlight the influence the England international had on his colleagues making history and believes his cool head will be a huge benefit at Edgbaston.

“Moeen was pretty good against Gloucestershire, he instructed us and made clear he wanted us to stay calm under the pressure,” said D’Oliveira.

“He has an aura about him, is a very good player and when he speaks everyone listens. He has been there and done it so you listen to what he has to say.

“The good thing is that he is a very calming character. You never see him sweat much or show the pressure and that’s something the boys can feed off.”

Finals Day will be the realisation of a personal dream for D’Oliveira, a reluctant spectator from his settee in recent years.

“Everyone is buzzing about it, we have got that monkey off our backs after coming so close in previous years. We’re really looking forward to it,” he added.

“I have never played in Finals Day. I have always watched it on TV wishing I was out there so it will be nice to be a part of it in front of a big crowd.

“There have been times when I flicked over to something else because of the frustration of watching instead of playing so it is pretty special to be there this time.”

The bookmakers see Worcestershire as marginal outsiders to land the silverware but D’Oliveira refused to accept underdog status.

“We have played some great white-ball cricket this year, our 50-over stuff and in topping the group in the T20,” said D’Oliveira.

“There is no reason we can’t go on to win it. England players are available and we gain a great player in Moeen. Hopefully we can push on to win that trophy.

“We just have to take it one step at a time. Lancashire have a very strong team but we are lucky enough to have played them in T20 this season and hope to use that to our advantage and beat them in the semi-final.”