Park leads Dorset charge (From Dorset Echo)

Park leads Dorset charge

8:50am Tuesday 23rd August 2011 in Cricket By Echo Reporter

DORSET will this morning aim to claim the final six Cornwall wickets as they bid to finish their Minor Counties Championship campaign in style.

The Western Division clash was last night delicately poised at Dean Park – with the visitors reaching the close of another eventful day on 147-4, chasing 257 to win.

Dorset begun the second day on 21 without loss in their second innings – a lead of 87 – after no fewer than 20 wickets fell on Sunday. Bournemouth batsman Nick Park, who hit an unbeaten 80 in the first innings, again led the Dorset charge.

Park (86) and Aaron Williams (51) put the hosts in a strong position with an opening stand of 130.

But things took a turn for the worse as Dorset then collapsed at the hands of Alex Smeeth (5-57) and Tom Sharp (3-37) on their way to being dismissed for 190.

Cornwall made steady progress to reach 147-4.

Dorset captain Tom Hicks, fresh from taking five for 20 earlier in the match, claimed the wicket of Matthew Robins (31), while Ed Denham removed Dan Davis (47) and Matthew Rowe (21) to leave both teams in with a chance of victory.