RUN-GETTER Dan Belt insists his role primarily as an opening batsman in the Dorchester set-up this summer is suiting him perfectly.
The 28-year-old has been in sparkling form in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division so far, scoring a whopping 405 runs from seven innings in Dorset’s top tier, at a staggering average of 101.25. 
With three scores of more than 50 to go with the sublime 145 not out he got against Broadstone earlier this month, the former Dorchester skipper’s decision to limit his impact as a bowler due to a knee injury and focus on opening with the bat seems to be the right call.
Explaining the choice to concentrate on scoring runs, Belt told Echosport: “Obviously not bowling anymore is a bit of a weight off my shoulders. I can go out there and enjoy myself batting.
“Last season I was struggling with my knee. If we either bowled or batted first I was really struggling.
“I kind of said at the end of last season that I wasn’t going to bowl, I was just going to bat and nothing was really said about it. I got to pre-season and my knee was still playing up a bit and, with some of the players we had coming in, we had plenty of bowling anyway.
“I like knowing that I can bat the whole innings, you are in no rush then and can take control of the innings, which I am enjoying. I like the pressure that comes with it. 
“It might be a bit different if we bat first and I’m out in the first over. Then I have nothing to do for the rest of the game. I can sit back and let everyone else do something!”
Belt’s runs have made a massive impact in Simon Mitchem’s side reaching the top of the league pile at present, with six wins coming from seven completed games so far.
“Since we won it in 2008 I think this is one of the strongest teams since then,” Belt added. 
“It’s a young team as well which is good.
“We have a great squad in the firsts and seconds, everyone is enjoying their cricket and winning is helping. 
“Everyone has the right mentality and knows we are capable of winning because we are up there – that’s showing on the pitch as well. 
“Obviously, now we are top, it is for us to keep going and not let anyone get in our way.
“It’s good signs for Dorchester Cricket Club over the next five years.”
Away from club level, Belt also revealed to Echosport that he “had a phone call about selection” from the Dorset set-up about a potential return to the fold.
Asked if he would still want to play for the county, with Dorset keenly stressing to pick players from around the area in future, Belt emphatically replied: “No. 
“I have been there and done it and it’s not the same as what it used to be. I have a little one on the way as well so I don’t think I’d have much time. Two games at a weekend and Evening League takes up too much time anyway.
“I just want to keep going with Dorchester. Try to win as many games as possible by hitting the runs and push towards maybe a title for the whole team.” 
He added: “It will be interesting if I score 900 runs this year whether they look to select me as a batsman next year.”