SKIPPER Chris Park revealed to Echosport that Dorset are on the lookout to scout and develop further home-grown talent from across the county this winter.

The captain’s comments come after the Dorset Leopards side, a developmental XI under the county first team, knocked off a Gloucestershire Academy XI at Stalbridge, with a number of players featuring from the Dorset League in their ranks.

Park stated that cricketers from the Dorset League structure will get the chance to be considered for selection in the Minor Counties set-up next term, should they impress on invitation to the county training programme.

Dorset had drafted in players from outside of the area to represent the county side in previous seasons before this summer, but, in an interview with Echosport back in May, coach Paul Prichard said: “I’d rather play a young guy from Dorset than pick from outside the county. That’s the way we have approached it and I think that’s the best thing for the longevity of county cricket in Dorset.”

Commenting on the Leopards’ success this week, which included Martinstown skipper Ed Nichols and Dorchester captain Simon Mitchem from the west of the county, captain Park told Echosport: “It’s absolutely brilliant and that’s what the Leopards is for – to give people the chance to step up and for us to have a look at them at the next level.

“It’s brilliant to see that the Dorset Premier League players and the local Southern League players have done well as well.

“There is strength in depth now and I am looking forward to getting them all involved this winter through our training programmes and for us to have a closer look at them all.”

Asked whether players from the Dorset League would be invited to work with the county over the winter, the captain replied: “Absolutely, all the guys who have played Leopards this year will be invited throughout the winter and myself and Prich will have a closer look at them.

“It’s all part of a stepping stone to the Minor Counties team. It’s a great place to showcase what they can do.”

Dorchester’s Mitchem made a match-winning 36 not out to help the Leopards over the line batting second, while Nichols helped see off the new ball at the top of the order, digging in to make a handy 23 in what was a low-scoring encounter.

The county town captain also delivered seven overs for just nine runs having opened the bowling against the Gloucestershire XI.

Reflecting on the contest, Mitchem told Echosport: “It was a great day, Gloucestershire brought down a really competitive side and I really enjoyed the intensity of it – it was hard cricket and both teams were eager to win.

“It was good to get a chance with the bat as well. It wasn’t the most fluent innings I have ever played but we needed someone to stay there and scrap it out.”

Dorset team manager Ian Bradley added: “We will continue to work with our youth policy and we will pick players from the league that are doing well.”