BROADSTONE all-rounder Zeeshan 'Ziggy' Arshad could yet get his wish to play at Lord's for Dorset after being picked for his Minor Counties Championship debut.

The 18-year-old student of Matthew Keech's Cricket School' at Hurn Bridge will line up in the Western Division for the first time when Dorset visit Cheshire at Nantwich over three days.

Arshad's selection follows his superb one-day performance in Dorset's fine MCCA Trophy semi-final seven-wicket win over Staffordshire at Dean Park last week.

The Bearwood-based seamer finished with impressive figures of 7-3-8-0 and even outfoxed former England batsman Kim Barnett as Dorset fixed up a final against Northumberland at Lord's on August 16.

Looking back on the semi, Arshad said: "I didn't know I was bowling against an England player.

"I just stuck to my game plan. I just bowled to my line and length. It didn't matter who was there."

Arshad, only called up on the morning of the match to replace injured Dan Belt, added: "I got told by Parkie (Chris Park) after we came off for lunch.

"That might have changed my game plan if I had been told before. I didn't think about it. I just bowled and enjoyed it.

"I was hoping I had a chance of playing at Lord's before the Staffordshire game. It seems God has listened to my pray. I got my chance to do well and, hopefully, I will be picked for the next game and the final."

Ben Lawes and Rupert Kitzinger return for Dorset against Cheshire, with Steven Selwood and Phil Lewis the men to make way.

Arshad continued: "I was all ready to play for Dorset's under-21s against Devon at Weymouth when Sean Walbridge called me at 9am.

"He said we're one man short so get yourself here because you are in with a chance of playing.

"It wasn't my first senior game because I had played against Berkshire away earlier this season in the same competition, so I wasn't fazed. I felt good and wasn't nervous. I got into a rhythm early and bowled tight lines.

"It makes me want to play more at this level. I want to become a professional and this is the only way through.

"You get the chance to play against ex-professionals, players who want to become professionals and other good players as well."

Ben Lawes and Rupert Kitzinger return for Dorset against Cheshire, with Steven Selwood and Phil Lewis the men to make way.

Line-upDorset: (from) G R Treagus, T Webley, P J Deakin, B J Lawes, D J Cowley, C L Park, T C Hicks, Z Arshad, M J Metcalfe, M D Ford, R C Kitzinger, R Armstrong.