BOURNEMOUTH skipper Chris Park believes it is time for his side to start cashing in on fine batting surfaces at home this season.

Unbeaten on their travels, Lions, who on Saturday host title rivals Calmore Sports (12.30pm) have endured mixed fortunes at their Chapel Gate headquarters with two defeats from four games.

Despite convincing victories over Andover and Ventnor, Bournemouth have been edged out in contests against Liphook & Ripsley and Sarisbury Athletic.

Liphook’s Harry Munt struck 93 from 84 deliveries last month to put Lions to the sword, while Sarisbury opener Ricky Rawlins carried his bat with unbeaten 95 to heap home misery on Park’s men.

And while he admitted good batting pitches could nullify his side’s threat, the wicketkeeper-batsman is eager for his own charges to cash in.

He told the Daily Echo: “With the dry weather about at the moment, the pitches are excellent for batting at Bournemouth – maybe that does counteract our spin bowling and perhaps our fast bowling.

“But it’s the same for both sides. Because we play on a very good, batting-friendly pitch, it should mean our batsmen make hay as well.

“The two games we have lost this season have been because of two very good individual performances.

“Playing at home, it would be nice to put in a good performance.”

Defending champions Calmore are joint-second with Sarisbury behind leaders Bournemouth. They have won five of their opening eight fixtures, with one being washed out.

“They are a strong side with a lot of experience in Division One. I was deeply disappointed that they weren’t allowed to get promoted last year,” added Park.

“They were the best side in the league and deserved to go up but regulations and rules meant they couldn’t. They have started well again and it will be a good test of where we are at.”

Bournemouth are set to make two changes with Dan Conway and Tom West returning in place of Martin Miller and George Wilson.

Park confirmed he was set to don the wicketkeeping gloves after an injury scare during Dorset’s Unicorns Championship victory over Wiltshire earlier this week.

The captain was struck on the left index finger while batting but was fit enough to step behind the stumps during the second innings at Sherborne School.

“When I did it, lots of things flashed through my head,” he added. “It didn’t look very pretty – put it that way! It’s badly bruised but is absolutely fine now.”