By Martin Gough BBC Sport at Lord's

County cricket has precious few occasions on which it can showcase itself to the public, but on Saturday it failed to take advantage of a precious opportunity.

And England captain Michael Vaughan's criticism of the "fear factor" in the domestic game was proven brilliantly in Worcestershire's seven-wicket capitulation to Gloucestershire.

Hick had a chance to show off his talent, and missed it

County Championship cricket is rarely a feast to be enjoyed by a packed house.

But the C&G Trophy, since its inception as the Gillette Cup in 1963, has proved a wonderful bridge between fans and county cricketers in their natural habitat.

There is an upside for the players, too. For much of the year they toil in relative obscurity, only a bulky batting or slim bowling average attracting further attention from the selectors.

But a single stand-out performance on TV can have everyone talking about you.

For county players, the final at Lord's is a rare occasion to perform before a big crowd, and show the temperament to shine at the highest level.

Vaughan has accused county cricket of being boring but anyone who played on Saturday would have dismissed that.

The crowds were three-deep at the Nursery Ground fence an hour before the start to watch both sides warm up; there was an atmosphere like a Test match after tea from the off.

But, even Gloucestershire with an emphatic win, could not make a good case to improve the cachet of the county game.

Man-for-man, on paper at least the Black Pears boasted the stronger team, a fact acknowledged by Smith when he said the side should have visited Lord's far more often in the last five years.

Not even Harvey's hitting could light up a drab day

But the fear factor kicked in after the loss of five quick wickets.

Eighth-wicket pair Steven Rhodes and Gareth Batty could have launched a counter-attack - they had nothing to lose - but instead chugged at three runs per over and were eventually both out cheaply.

Two of the Worcestershire attack should both have been celebrating their England Test call-ups on Sunday but they were probably instead reflecting on their inability to bowl in the big time.

Pace man Kabir Ali also began with a wide, just as he began a crucial spell at Headingley a week ago with a loose half-volley, to gift Gloucestershire a start they did not require.

And off-spinner Batty, seen by some as England's best antidote to South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, was launched for five fours in his first over against Harvey.

As for the overseas men, Nantie Hayward was, as his nickname suggests, wayward as he began with a wide and sprayed three overs before being relieved of the new ball.

Compatriot Andrew Hall, tormentor of England with bat and ball this year, was lbw for 11 and then conceded three times as many runs in three overs as Harvey licked his lips.

Surprised

Gloucestershire have been surprised in the past that few of their players have received the call from England's selectors, but in truth they have few home-grown stand-outs.

Mark Alleyne's side do the job with great team-work, cutting out the need for one man to stand out, to risk the fear factor.

It has been good enough to win six one-day titles in the last five seasons.