SEAN Walbridge has hailed first-class outfit Somerset for allowing three of their top young players to line up for Dorset in this weekend’s Minor Counties Championship final.

Max Waller, Chris Jones and Jack Leach are all named in the south coast amateur outfit’s team to face Lincolnshire at Dean Park in the four-day clash, starting on Sunday at 10.30am.

The trio have all appeared for Dorset previously this season, but there was some concern over their availability for the final.

Dorset manager Sean Walbridge said: “We’re delighted they can all play and really grateful to Somerset.

“Chris and Jack are available because there are no Somerset fixtures that clash and we asked Max if he could play.

“He asked the Somerset coaching staff and they said they were happy for him to get some overs in for us in the final.

“Max played for them against the Pakistanis yesterday at Taunton so he’ll be nicely warmed up for Lincolnshire on Sunday.

“He is a quality cricketer and will play a major role in the final I’m sure.

“The credit for our tie-up with Somerset goes to our coach Alan Willows.

“But it’s not only with them, Alan’s also got the same relationship with Hampshire and is building up something similar with Gloucestershire.”

Walbridge confirmed Dorset skipper Tom Hicks and batsman Aaron Williams were unavailable because of work commitments.

“I know Tom is really gutted and so is Aaron. It’s a shame we’re without them, but with Chris Morgan coming in to bat at three, we have four quality young cricketers to fill the gaps.”

Play starts at 10.30pm and ends at 6.30pm in each of the four days of the final.

Dorset: N Park, Jones, Morgan, Treagus, Cowley, C Park, Metcalfe, Waller, Denham, Leach, Wilson. 12th man: Clark.

Lincolnshire: Birch, Dobson, Atri, Dowman, Cook, Andrews, Burford, Houston, Osmond, Onyon, Cheer. 12th man: Darke.