SKIPPER Chris Park confirmed Ben Walker was set to join up with the Dorset squad this winter.

The talented opening batsman is expected to feature for the minor counties outfit during their 2018 campaign.

Walker totalled a staggering 602 runs from 16 innings last season, as he captained Havant to the Southern Premier League title.

He averaged more than 50 with the bat with his highest score of 112 coming against Hampshire Academy in June.

Park told the Daily Echo: “He has been a leading run scorer in the Southern Premier League for the past three or four years and is a top quality batsman.

“Something we need in our top order is an experienced player and someone of that calibre, so we have invited him to nets in pre-season.

“I think Ben has now reached that time in his life where he wants to play the highest standard of cricket he can.

“We have spoken to him and I am looking forward to meeting him in the next couple of weeks.”

Dorset are also hopeful of keeping star off-spinner Jigar Naik in their set-up next summer.