SPIN ace Jem Warner believes his hard work is paying off after earning the chance to represent Dorset at senior level.

The young Swanage leg spinner has burst onto the scene this year and has received high praise from skipper Chris Park since making his Minor Counties debut in April.

And Warner, the most economical of the Dorset attack against Hampshire at Dean Park earlier this month, believes that he is reaping the rewards for his commitment.

He said: “I worked hard over the winter on a few technical aspects of my game so to be able to implement them now is really pleasing.

“I have worked on making sure I keep the energy in my action and bowling slightly quicker leg spin, but against a team like Hampshire it was more about variation and trying to mix it up.

“It is good to know that you can work your way through the ranks in Dorset cricket and if you work hard enough in the youth set-up you will get noticed.”

The youngster’s main aim now is to keep his place in the Dorset ranks before jetting overseas for the winter as part of his gap year.

He will then go to Durham University to study law.

“I am going to teach at a school in South Africa and play as much cricket as I can at a good standard,” he added.