SKIPPER Chris Park is keen to welcome back a familiar face in form of Rupes Kitzinger for when Dorset do battle with Oxfordshire, starting tomorrow (11am).

Towering seamer Kitzinger, who was part of the Dorset side that featured at Lord’s in the MCCA one-day final in 2006, has been named in the XI for the clash set to be staged at Aston Rowant CC.

Speaking about the return of Kitzinger, who is a highly-established coach, Park told Echosport: “He is a fantastic bowler and has worked for the Andrew Flintoff Academy, he is good friends with him.

“Rupes actually moved up to Manchester about three or four years ago and now has a job with the ECB working with the junior performance squads.

“He knows cricket inside out and has always made himself available for us but because of the logistics of living up north, we felt, with him playing club cricket on a Saturday, driving five hours to play is unrealistic.

“He has always said that if we ever need him he is there and we just feel it’s the right time.

“He is really looking forward to it and has been on the phone this week and I am looking forward to seeing him.

“He will bowl maiden after maiden and that is just what we need really. He can tie up an end for us and hopefully we can let the spinners continued on page 38 whirl away at the other and create some pressure as well.”

One of those spinners is the returning Jem Warner, who Park believes could be a trump card for the his troops in his first three-day outing.

Commenting on the Swanage youngster’s inclusion, he added: “Being a leg-spinner he will offer something a bit different and Oxfordshire haven’t seen him this year, he could be a bit of a trump card for us.

“He had A-level exams during the last game but it’s great to have him back. We have plenty of bowling options now which is always nice.”

On the contest itself, Park, whose side suffered a 142-run defeat to Wiltshire in their three-day opener, added: “I am looking forward to putting the last game out of our minds and starting again really.

“I still play up in Northampton so I know quite a few of their (Oxfordshire’s) players personally. They are a good side.

“The pressure is back on our batsmen. If the batsmen can score the runs then I have confidence the attack can get the wickets needed.”