Dorset in 350-run chase to beat Wilts (From Dorset Echo)

Dorset in 350-run chase to beat Wilts

8:56am Wednesday 23rd July 2008 in

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DELIGHTED Sean Walbridge described Dorset's wonderful win at Wiltshire as "most definitely" the team's finest showing of the season.

Chasing a daunting 350 to win from a minimum of 84 overs yesterday, Dorset upset the odds to record a fine victory, with captain Tom Hicks (78 not out), Chris Park (78) and Nick Park (69) leading the way.

"It was probably one of the biggest run chases in recent history," Walbridge told the Echo, moments after four overthrows had handed his team victory with more than three overs to spare.

Going into the final day's play at Corsham, the hosts looked to be sitting pretty on 234 for five - a commanding lead of 296.

But Henry Turner (3-36) and Richard Banham (4-73) ensured the game did not get away from Walbridge's men as they dismissed the home side for 287.

The run chase got off to a steady start, but wickets fell regularly before a fifth-wicket stand of 146 between Hicks and Chris Park laid the foundations for victory, as the Dorset duo took their side to within 38 runs of the target.

Wiltshire had totalled 333 for eight in their first innings on the opening day of the clash. But 22-year-old Matt Metcalfe (81 not out), along with captain Hicks (71) and wicketkeeper Chris Park (49) kept Dorset in with a shout as they recorded 271 in reply.

WILTSHIRE 2nd Innings

DC Shirazi lbw b DJ Cowley 60

E Abel c DJ Cowley b HW Turner 2

WJ Durston c TC Hicks b RW Banham 120

SJ Macey c HW Turner b DJ Cowley 15

JR Levitt c and b DJ Cowley 1

RD Bedbrook c CL Park b RW Banham 18

RC Travers c DJ Cowley b RW Banham 0

J Hibberd c CL Park b HW Turner 24

DV Graham c DJ Cowley b HW Turner 0

AJ Miles b RW Banham 0

RG Crick not out 4

Extras 43

Total (all out, 74.3 overs) 287

FoW: 1-17, 2-147, 3-195, 4-197, 5-234, 6-234, 7-268, 8-269, 9-274

Bowling: Metcalfe 7-0-2-30-0, Banham 19-3-73-4, Belt 4-1-20-0, Turner 17.3-2-36-3, Hicks 8-1-22-0, Cowley 14-1-47-3, Z Arshad 5-0-37-0

DORSET 2nd Innings

JHK Adams b DV Graham 20

NG Park lbw b RD Bedbrook 69

DJ Cowley b DV Graham 14

SA Selwood lbw b DV Graham 19

CL Park b WJ Durston 78

TC Hicks not out 78

MJ Metcalfe c AJ Miles b J Hibberd 20

Z Arshad b WJ Durston 7

DP Belt not out 5

Extras 40

Total (7 wkts, 80.2 overs) 350

FoW: 1-35, 2-59, 3-109, 4-166, 5-312, 6-337, 7-344

Bowling: Graham 14-3-41-3, Hibberd 7.2-0-45-1, Durston 17-2-73-2, Crick 3-0-23-0, Travers 17-1-75-0, Bedbrook 19-0-61-1, Shirazi 3-0-15-0