Cricket: Injured Matt had faith in team-mates (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cricket: Injured Matt had faith in team-mates

7:00am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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INJURED Dorset seamer Matt Metcalfe has revealed he never doubted that the rest of their bowlers would polish off Lincoln-shire’s batting without him to lift the national crown yesterday.

The dynamic 24-year-old was the south coast outfit’s second highest wicket taker this season, with 22, going into the Minor Counties Championship final.

But Metcalfe was only able to send down seven overs throughout the whole of an absorbing four-day clash between the Western and Eastern Division pennant holders at Dean Park.

That was because he sustained a suspected torn muscle in his lower back while opening Dorset’s bowling at the start of Lincolnshire’s first innings.

Metcalfe spent the rest of the time while Lincolnshire were batting off the field nursing his injury, although he did score 18 and 36 precious runs in two visits to the crease with his bat.

Bournemouth’s strike bowler said: “I was always quietly confident the rest of our bowlers would finish off the job.

“Apart from Vikram Atri, who got his hundred, we didn’t really see anything else that would result in them scoring 254 in their second innings, especially against our spinners.

“I’m gutted I didn’t have a lot to do in the game, but I’m really delighted we won. It was frustrating not being able to bowl more, but then again it’s not just down to one or two guys.

“There are four or five other guys who could do something with the ball. Besides, the last three days weren’t a seamers’ wicket. If it had been, I would have been distraught.

“But our spinners have done it on day four and it’s been a great team effort from everyone.”

Metcalfe added: “I’ve had a little bit of a niggle that hasn’t been too bad over the past few weeks, but on Sunday it just went.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a torn muscle, but I’ll get it checked out properly and be back for Dorset next year.

“I’m just glad it happened at this stage rather than earlier in the season and that it didn’t affect the outcome of the final.”

Dorset’s previous title came in 2000, with Holt Cup one-day victory in 1988 the only other occasion they have lifted national silverware.