COOL customer Nick Park carefully guided Bournemouth to Twenty20 glory and then admitted the achievement was the best of his cricketing career.

Batting star Park led from the front to claim player-of-the-day honours as the brilliant Lions cruised to the Cockspur Club Twenty20 Cup in front of a bumper crowd at the County Ground in Derby.

The 24-year-old struck 46 in his team’s semi-final win over Reigate Priory, before a perfectly-paced 58 in the final helped defeat Cuckney.

Park, whose opening partnerships with the excellent Mark House proved crucial in both matches, told the Echo: “It was awesome. It was a great team effort.

“The average age of the team is about 21 and it was just great for the guys.

“In each game someone different stood up to be counted and it was great that we performed on the day.”

Asked if the success was his top effort in cricket, Park replied: “It’s probably nearly the best, if not the best.

“My double hundred for Dorset ranks near this, but team-wise this is just unbelievable.”

As well as getting their hands on the trophy, Monday’s brilliant efforts also helped the Dorset outfit book an all-expenses-paid trip to Barbados where they will represent England in a pro-am tournament.

Park, who had admitted prior to the finals day that the lure of the Caribbean was a big incentive, said: “It will be a bit of fun and I think we get to play with a few ex-professionals like Phil Tufnell and Darren Gough.

“It should be a laugh and we’re going to enjoy it. There will be plenty of time on the beach – and plenty of rum.”

Despite his team becoming the best Twenty20 side in the country, outside of county cricket, Park believes Bournemouth need to bolster their batting line-up if they are to continue their success in all formats.

He added: “I think we need to get one or two decent top-order batters, certainly in the Southern League.

“But in the 20-over stuff, as you’ve seen, we’re a match for anyone.”