Cricket: Houston is a problem, but spin key for Dorset (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cricket: Houston is a problem, but spin key for Dorset

7:00am Monday 6th September 2010 in

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SEAN Walbridge is backing his spin kings to wreak havoc on a dry Dean Park wicket after Dorset made a solid start in their pursuit of Minor Counties Championship glory.

The hosts were indebted to an unbeaten knock of 80 from Glyn Treagus, the experienced Lymington batsman who also featured in the 2000 national final when Dorset claimed the crown for the only time.

His 174-ball innings helped Dorset post a total of 245, a score coach Walbridge described as “about par”.

Chris Morgan (49) was the next best performer, while number 11 Mitch Wilson (20) shared in a last-wicket stand of 31, which could prove decisive as the next three days unfold.

And Walbridge thinks his bowling attack, which includes Somerset spinners Max Waller and Jack Leach, could pose plenty of problems for Lincolnshire later in the game.

“Looking at the wicket, we feel that we’ve probably had the best of it,” he told the Echo after the rain-effected first day ended due to bad light.

“It looks very dry and we’re confident that it’s going to spin.

“With our attack – with Jack and Max in the side and we’ve also got Chris Morgan and Glyn Treagus – we should have the attack to bowl on it.

“We’ve bowled, all year, good, disciplined lines with our seamers and our spinners.

“If we can do that again in this game and then put the opposition under some pressure, then I’d back our bowlers all the way.

“We’re pleased and really pleased with the partnership at the end between Mitch and Glyn because that could prove vital come the second innings.”

Walbridge hailed Treagus as the “backbone” of the Dorset innings after he had produced |a fine performance to rescue the hosts from a tricky situation.

Lincolnshire’s left-arm seamer Brett Houston caused a problem or two for the home side and claimed impressive figures of five for 52 from his 26 overs.

Aaron Onyon (4-96) also gave Dorset food for thought and made the first breakthrough by trapping Bournemouth’s Nick Park lbw for just seven early in the day.

But Dorset regrouped and Walbridge was satisfied with his side’s opening to the championship final.

“I think 245 is competitive – we’d have probably liked 275 – but we’ll settle for that and see how we bowl today,” he added.