DORSET have included leg-spinner Max Waller in their 12-man squad to take on Wales in the opening contest of their Unicorns Knockout Trophy campaign at Dean Park tomorrow (11am).

The former Bashley man, who last represented Dorset when they won the Minor Counties Championship title in 2010, comes into the side after being allowed to play by his professional county, Somerset.

“I’m delighted that he has made himself available,” Dorset captain Chris Park told Echosport.

He added: “His inclusion will fill the team with confidence, he is going to open the batting having opened the batting for the Somerset Second XI so far this season.

“In pressure situations he can be the go-to man, he is a brilliant fielder and will set the standard in the field straight away, and being a professional cricketer he will breed confidence through the side.

“Hopefully we will get to see a little bit more of Max in the side this year, but obviously for himself personally he will want to perform well to stake a claim for Somerset’s first team.”

With Waller boosting the Dorset ranks, Park is keen for his troops to get off to a fast start after a lacklustre campaign last term.

The skipper claimed: “It’s something we have spoken about already and the guys are fully aware of, weather permitting, the guys are fully prepared to go and we cannot wait.

“It will be nice to lead the side out at Dean Park but for me, nothing is going to change in my routine and my normal game-to-game structure. I believe in all of our players to do their jobs and carry out their individual roles, if that happens, the cricket will look after itself.”

Visitors Wales will also be looking to get their first win on the board after they had their opening day fixture abandoned against Cornwall last Sunday.

Dorset: Waller, Porter, Lawrence, Lintott, Williams, Park, Hicks, Denham, Wolstenholme, Thomson, Hayman, Scott.