Walbridge: Batting must improve (From Dorset Echo)

Walbridge: Batting must improve

8:50am Thursday 24th September 2009 in

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MANAGER Sean Walbridge reflected on another eventful season at the helm – and then outlined his blueprint for future success.

Dorset finished in an admirable fourth place in the Western Division of the Minor Counties Cricket Championship and joint-second in their group of the one-day competition.

A major highlight of the campaign was Nick Park’s colossal 219 in the final championship fixture against Wiltshire, which Dorset won by four runs.

Park, whose innings rewrote the history books, also shared in another record stand in that match alongside Dave Kidner, with whom he added 157 for the 10th wicket.

Although Walbridge claimed his side had achieved their goal of playing “attacking cricket”, he admitted that the batting is an area that must be improved on.

He said: “Our aim at the start of the season was to play attacking cricket and take the game to the opposition, which we’ve done reasonably successfully.

“Our bowling attack once again has proved a highly effective unit – arguably the best in our division – and our fielding and catching has been excellent.

“Tom Hicks led the way with 16 wickets, Stefan Jones was a revelation in his two matches and Matt Metcalfe was his normal reliable self, but most pleasing was Ed Denham’s first full season.

“We do need to improve our batting. It’s imperative we make better scores and if we can do this we can be serious contenders in both one-day and championship competitions.

“There have been too many occasions where we have failed to bat our 90 overs in the first innings and therefore been forced to play catch up for the rest of the match.

“It’s testament to the spirit and character of the team that they have been able to do this, with the Oxford and Wiltshire matches highlighting these battling qualities.

“However, if we want to move forward we must improve this area of our play and we will look at this during our winter sessions.

“Nick Park (482 runs) had a superb summer and was well supported by Glyn Treagus (277) and Chris Park (197), but we lack the weight of runs behind these guys.”

Walbridge also congratulated the Dorset regulars who have graduated to county cricket, adding: “It’s been pleasing to see Max Waller progress into Somerset’s first XI and play such an important role.

“David Payne has played for Gloucestershire in the Pro 40, Chris Jones, Ed Denham and Simon Watkins have all played second XI cricket on a regular basis.

“I’d like to thank The Hearn Group for their continued support, our hard-working committee – especially Barry Lewis and Peter Moxam – coach Alan Willows, scorer Chris Drew and our loyal band of followers.”