DORSET captain Tom Hicks is targeting silverware this summer as the Minor Counties campaign draws ever closer.

Sean Walbridge’s men have en-joyed a positive winter with training sessions at Bryanston School, and they return to the crease on Monday for a friendly match against Wiltshire at Dean Park (11am).

Competitive action begins on Sunday, April 25 with a one-day clash against Hertfordshire before the Minor Counties Championship gets underway with a trip to Berkshire on June 6.

And Hicks is confident heading into the new season.

He said: “There is a collective belief amongst all involved in the Dorset set-up that this not only could be a very successful year on the pitch, but that as a team and squad we really should be winning a trophy.

“Despite some outstanding individual and team performances over the last two seasons, we have been one win away from genuine success in both one-day and three-day competitions.

“This year, with Darren Cowley and Rich Banham back and new signing David Taylor confirmed for the one-day matches, we feel we’re in a strong position to take on anyone.

“All the players now have experience of what it takes to win Championship matches and it seems every base is covered in the squad, given availability and fitness.

“If we can come together as a unit on the pitch, there is no reason we can’t bring home silverware. It should be another fun season.”

Reflecting on the new faces in this year’s squad, as well as those returning to the fold, team manager Walbridge said: “There have been a few new faces at the training sessions – all-rounders David Taylor and Darren Augustus, both from Alton CC, and Chris Morgan, formerly of Hampshire.

“Also joining the squad is batter Josh Lawrence, once he starts a teacher training position at Sherborne School.

“We have been pleased to welcome back seamers Rich Banham and Henry Turner, who were unavailable last season, while explosive batsman Darren Cowley has returned from injury.

“They will provide real competition for places. I’m also talking to a couple of other players but I’m waiting for them to return from overseas commitments.

“Once again we made progress last summer, only missing out on the quarter-finals of the one-day competition by net run rate in our group.

“In the Championship we won three of our six matches and if it hadn’t been for defeat to Shropshire in our penultimate match we could have challenged for the Western Division Championship.”

Coach Alan Willows said: “This is a very exciting time for Dorset and we look forward to winning the Championship and one-day competition.”

This season also sees Dorset play both of their home one-day group matches at Dorchester and Weymouth.

Walbridge added: “We are returning to these venues for our sponsors the Hearn Group and our supporters in the west of the county, traditionally we have been well supported at both venues and we hope that continues upon our return.”

Dorset (v Wiltshire): Treagus, N Park, Jones, Williams, Taylor, Cowley, C Park, Hicks, Morgan, Denham, Banham, Warren. Scorer: Alan Mills.

* DORSET have added two prestigious friendlies to their fixture list for the upcoming season.

Sean Walbridge’s side will host both Somerset and Hampshire in Twenty20 matches that will take place on Sunday, May 30 and Tuesday, June 1.

The first encounter will be held at Sherborne School (2.30pm) with Hampshire set to visit Dean Park (5pm) two days later.

With the likes of England star Kevin Pietersen and former England ace Marcus Trescothick set to descend on Dorset, team manager Walbridge is anticipating a “real treat”.

He said: “A lot of hard work has gone into negotiating these two fixtures and we are very grateful to Brian Rose at Somerset and Hampshire’s Tim Tremlett for their co-operation.

“The matches are being played during half-term so we are hoping for big crowds and we are hoping that the young cricket supporters in the county will want to come and see some world class cricketing talent on display.

“Both counties have told us they will be bringing strong sides so the matches are going be very entertaining.

“If you think about the talent on display this is going to be a real treat for local cricket fans.”

Somerset’s side will contain stars such as Trescothick, Craig Kieswetter and Australia’s Cameron White while Hamp-shire boast the likes of Pietersen, and Dimi Mascarenhas.

Dorset CCC members will be entitled to free entry on production of their membership cards with non-members paying £10 for adults, £5 for children under 16 and OAPs or £20 for a family ticket, which includes two adults and two children.

Anyone interested in becoming a member can contact Pete Moxom on 01929 462632.