DORSET 175 (68.5 overs) & 198 (84.2 overs) lost to CORNWALL 388-8 (90 overs) by an innings and 15 runs

BATTING weaknesses once again proved to be Dorset’s downfall as they were eventually hammered by an innings and 15 runs by Cornwall at Truro.

Having lost the key wickets of Luke Webb (64) and Mike Porter (47) late on day two, Dorset folded when trying to save the game on the final morning of the threeday contest and failed to make their rampant hosts bat again.

The match as a whole included a star performance from Cornwall’s Greg Smith, who, after making a chanceless 138 with the bat in almost four hours at the crease, then proceeded to take five Dorset wickets with the ball bowling his off-spin in the second innings to help put Chris Park’s men to bed.

But, looking back at the game as a whole, captain Park believed a lack of first innings runs having won the toss and chosen to put a score on the board proved the biggest downfall for his side.

He told Echosport: “I am gutted that our batting weaknesses and the batting frailties have let us down.

“We were probably 100 short of where we wanted to be (in the first innings). On Sunday, it was a good pitch and there were no excuses.

“There was soft batting and soft dismissals and, unfortunately, we left Michael Porter stranded (on 93 not out first time around). I am gutted for him because he applied himself really well.”

He added: “We can’t keep doing it and making the same mistakes.

“In the second innings we improved with our batting but losing two late wickets at the end of day two was a massive kick in the teeth. Unfortunately we just weren’t able to bat any length of time the following morning.

“We need to remember the tough times we had out there in the heat in the field on Monday and maybe we can start doing that to the opposition.”

On Smith’s display, Park added: “He is obviously a very good player and it was a very good innings he played.

“He didn’t give one chance for the 70 overs that he batted.

“He obviously bowls some very good off-spin as well, which we were aware of, but we weren’t able to do anything about it.”

Dorset’s next Championship fixture comes when they host Wales at Chapel Gate, starting on Sunday, July 31 (11am).