DORCHESTER are set to host Minor Counties representative cricket at the Rec this summer, Echosport can confirm.

The county town venue is set to host a friendly fixture between a Dorset XI, set to be captained by county captain Chris Park, and the MCC, at their headquarters on Thursday, June 1.

Confirming the fixture, Dorset chairman Sean Walbridge told Echosport: “We know that Dorchester have expressed an interest for Dorset, or representative cricket, to be played back on the Rec and we are very keen to work with any club in the county that wants to host Minor Counties fixtures.

“Obviously we lost Dean Park, so we are not blessed with loads of grounds, and we are really keen to work with clubs like Dorchester in bringing representative cricket back into the county.

“This is the perfect first step for us in going down that route.”

He added: “Having spoken to Dorchester we are planning to try and make it a really special day.

I know they are going to have a marquee up for their vice-presidents.

“It’s in half-term and we will be advertising it to all the local clubs for youngsters to come down and watch the game. We are really looking forward to it.”

Speaking on behalf of Dorchester, Simon Joslin added: “It’s a great coup for Dorchester.

“It will be a brilliant spectacle for cricket fans in the area to come and see Dorset come back to the county town.

“We have a barbeque organised and the bar will be open. People are free to come down and watch the game and entry will be free.”

He added: “Also, all our youth players will have the chance to play Kwik Cricket during the interval, so they will have the chance to play in front of a big crowd as well.

“It’s going to be a massive boost for all cricket in the area. We have all the ingredients to make it a good spectacle and maybe it can become a regular feature.”

Joslin also confirmed that all former players of Dorchester are invited to the fixture as well. For more information, contact 01305 262850.