SKIPPER Chris Park hopes swashbuckling all-rounder Jigar Naik will extend his stay with Dorset into a second season.

The 33-year-old capped a superb campaign as the county’s club professional by taking an 11-wicket haul in the thumping win over Cornwall in the Minor Counties Championship.

Former Leicestershire man Naik ended the year with 47 wickets to his name with Dorset’s Western Division opponents unable to cope with his beguiling and destructive off-spin.

Asked if he felt Naik would stay, Park said: “Yes, hopefully. He has had a great year and I think he has really enjoyed himself.

“We are trying to create a team spirit and ethos by picking young, local guys and bringing in Jigar has been the icing on the cake.

“He has been a go-to bowler and he controls one end and takes wickets.

“He sets the standards so the bowlers at the other end have to get the three or four wickets themselves.

“He has had a fantastic season.”

Dorset’s lofty Western Division finish provided a feather in the cap for coach Paul Prichard, with Park declaring the season a success.

He said: “We have made steps forward in the two years Prich has been here. He has tried to change a few things, more the mental side of things – being hard to beat,

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batting longer and being greedy.

“Jigar has been a great signing but at the same time, the batsmen have still got to score runs. Sam Collins has been brilliant, Tom Arnold has scored runs and Ed Ellis, Alex Eckland and Luke Webb have all contributed.

“Next year they need to improve a little bit further and bowling-wise we need to keep taking 20 wickets and keep threatening.

“We are a well balanced side and the young lads are definitely growing into Minor Counties cricket. Hopefully, we will put some good work in this winter and next year will be even better.”

Dorset’s sealed victory over Cornwall by an innings and four runs at North Perrott CC.

The visitors trailed by 112 at the start of yesterday’s play and although the tail wagged with James Turpin scoring 50 and Scott Harvey 43, it proved too little, too late.

Park added: “It was a great result. Looking at the two sides on Sunday morning, it was a game we were fairly positive about.

“From ball one, we were in control. We lost the toss but luckily the pitch took turn on the first day.

“From then on, we controlled the game and bowled beautifully in their first innings and batted beautifully to set it up for Monday and Tuesday.

“Everybody contributed. The top seven batsmen got their heads down and got us into a good lead, which was top drawer. Then it was over to the bowlers to be patient and take wickets one by one.”