Welcome to the Dorset County Cricket Club Play-Cricket Web Site

After a remarkable comeback against Oxfordshire, Dorset became the first side in the Western Division to win a 3-day Championship match this season and now the Leopards are sitting pretty at the top of their league.

Strengthened by the last-minute inclusion of Somerset paceman Steffan Jones, Dorset blew Oxon away in the second innings, taking the last nine wickets for only 44 runs. It was then left to Glyn Treagus and débutante Aaron Williams to compile a huge partnership which all but saw the team home.

Jones took nine wickets in the match and it was great to see batsmen hopping around avoiding some short stuff. It even prompted manager Sean Walbridge to reminisce about his days facing Waqar Younis at the Oval. The professionalism brought into the side was also a key factor in the win, and the experience would have rubbed off on other new débutantes Nick Baker and Mitch Wilson.

Paul Warren may be no youngster, but he was also making his 3-day debut for Dorset and supported well at the other end, as did Ed Denham and fellow Somerset star, Max Waller.

The excellent win became even better as none of the other games in our Division ended in a result, so Dorset’s lack of first innings points became less of a pressing issue, but will be some concern to skipper Tom Hicks, whose fine diving catch helped start the Oxford collapse.

The team travel down to Torquay for their next game with some scores to settle against Devon. With three straight wins in all competitions, confidence is at a high and if availability is good, the side could even be strengthened for the local derby.

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Throughout 2009 we are hoping to add match reports to our results, to give a little more information to those of you unable to attend the game. These will be found by selecting the option at the top of the screen when viewing the match in progress or result, or in the 'Latest News' section at the bottom of this page.

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Dorset CCC have been warming up for this season’s assault on the Minor Counties one-day and Championship trophies with sessions at Bryanston School. Members of the 1st team squad and Development XI have been practising side by side giving the Development players valuable experience and the management a chance to check on their progress. Aaron Williams has joined from Devon and will add extra strength to the batting line. Seamer Paul Warren has been bowling in the nets and 2000 Championship medal winners Toby Sharpe and David Kidner could link up with the squad for the final session on March 22nd.

Several of the players have been busy during the winter working with First Class Counties. Ed Denham has impressed whilst working with Hampshire Academy as has Chris Jones with Somerset. Max Waller has signed a 1 year contract with Somerset but will still be available for Dorset matches. Richard Banham has spent the winter honing his bowling skills on the hard pitches in Australia, whilst Rupes Kitzinger is currently in Hong Kong coaching whilst training for the London Marathon.

Skipper Tom Hicks (who is also running the marathon for a second time) welcomes the competition for places, saying: “We are fortunate to have so many decent players at our disposal this year. It is quite conceivable that some guys who have considerable Minor Counties experience might miss out, such is the strength of the squad.” There appear few weak areas, although the number three slot has been highlighted as an area yet to be set in stone. The three scheduled warm-up games in April should be the perfect opportunity for someone to stake a claim for the season.

All of Dorset’s matches will return to Dean Park this year. It will be interesting to see how it plays following John Fazackerly’s retirement. The management will be visiting John’s replacement on March 17th.

Coach Alan Willows and Manager Sean Walbridge have been working hard over the winter preparing the winter programme and planning for the 2009 season. They both feel that we have the squad to compete for the One Day Knockout and Championship trophies and can’t wait for the season to get under way.

As always, the players, Committee and management of Dorset CCC warmly invite all supporters of cricket in Dorset and the south to come and support the team this season. There can be few better sights than a sunny Dean Park surrounded by deckchairs and opposition wickets tumbling – be a part of it!

Come on you Leopards!

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The fixtures are complete on this site, so please enter them in your diary and we'll look forward to welcoming you at the games.

Dorset CCC have an existing site at dorsetccc.com

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