SKIPPER Chris Park is looking forward to welcoming back “a bit more seniority” to his Dorset line-up when they lock horns with Herefordshire at Colwall, starting tomorrow (11am).

Dorset were forced to blood no fewer than four debutants and two players playing just their second senior games for the county, when they were heavily beaten by Wiltshire last time out.

But with a few returning faces against a Herefordshire outfit which seems relatively inexperienced on paper, the county captain is confident his side can deliver their first three-day victory of the summer.

Ed Ellis comes back in to open the batting in place of Martinstown’s Ed Nichols, there are also changes in the visitors’ bowling attack with James Hayman and Bradley Currie coming in for Scott Currie and Simon Woodruff.

“We have a bit more seniority,” Park told Echosport.

“Having James Hayman back gives us some experience and he can lead the attack with Mark Wolstenholme.

“To have a bit more of a settled top order I am pleased with. Ed Nichols did brilliantly in his last game with his application but, having Ed Ellis back obviously gives us a very talented cricketer.”

Asked about their hosts for the Championship encounter, Park knows all about two of the Herefordshire outfit – including batsman Matt Pardoe, who is expected to captain the opposition.

“Matt Pardoe is a cricket master at Sherborne School,” he added.

“We are very friendly with him and when we were playing Devon at Sherborne School earlier this season, we actually went out for a curry with him.

“They also have Dan Conway, who is a cricket master at Clayesmore School. Their two senior players are closely linked to things down here and we are aware of them.”

He added: “They have obviously improved and are a side not to be messed with.”

Herefordshire, currently in fifth spot in the MCCA Championship Western Division, sit two places and four points above Dorset in the table.

Dorset sealed a seven-wicket triumph when the sides met over three days at North Perrott last season.