GARETH Berg is hoping to play into his forties – but may give up the 50-over format to do so.

You could be forgiven for thinking the 37 year-old all-rounder has discovered the elixir of youth, such have been the quality of his performances at an age when many players have already retired.

He has been a key player in the county’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, with 154 runs at 51.33 as well as 11 wickets (only Mason Crane has more for Hampshire), ahead of what will be his first Lord’s final today.

But, like his favourite superhero, even Batman fan Berg has limits.

Asked how long he believes he can play for, he said: “Forty is the benchmark.

“I’m hoping to hit around 40 and then we’ll see where we’re at. But the older I get I might have to eliminate one of the formats, which might be the 50-over stuff.

“I had a talk with [Hampshire head coach] Craig White not too long ago, just before the first 50-over game against Sussex, about possibly having to leave the 50-over comp out.

“But then I went hand had a good knock (scoring 65) the next day.”

Berg’s longevity is partly down to not making his first-class debut till he was 27.

“It took me ten years from leaving school to be a pro and I’m not going to give it up too easily,”he continues. “I’m having the best time of my career in my late thirties.

“As opposed to my Middlesex career I’ve taken a more laid-back approach to my cricket with Hampshire.

“The guys work you hard here fitness wise in the winter but I’ve managed to find a nice, happy medium between working hard and being laid back.”

Berg, who will be happy to bowl from either end today, called Lord’s home for many years during his seven years at Middlesex, a period that ended sourly when his contract was cancelled after a long-term shoulder problem.

But only once before has he played in front of a full house at headquarters.

“My first five-fer and first hundred came at Lord’s for Middlesex but I also remember playing Rajasthan Royals in an exhibition game there and hitting Warney (Shane Warne) for about 15 in an over, including a big six.

“I’ve got fond memories of the place and also the people that work there, they’re good friends of mine.

“Especially the stewards on the gate and in the pavilion, they’re lovely people.”

Berg will be happy bowling from either end today.

“I always preferred to bowl from the pavilion end and probably prefer it but towards the back end of my Middlesex career I bowled at the nursery end and picked up more wickets bowling from that end which surprised me. I wished I’d done that a little bit earlier.”