SKIPPER Chris Park had been delighted to see Bournemouth’s Luke Matthews start the summer by scoring a stack of pre-season runs.

Batsman Matthews impressed for Lions with sublime knocks against Horspath (65no) and Bournemouth University (145no) throughout their warm-up fixtures.

He is set to open the batting on the Chapel Gate side’s return to Southern Premier League at Basingstoke & North Hants on Saturday (12.30pm), having been promoted as champions from Division One last season.

Asked about Matthews’s dazzling pre-season form, Park told the Daily Echo: “He was injured early on last season having broke a finger quite badly, then he went to Australia for a teaching commitment for 12 months.

“He has actually come back early and for him to be back for the start of the season is a great plus for us.

“Luke is looking forward to it and I said to him on Sunday he’d wasted a lot of early-season runs in pre-season! But long may his form continue.

“On Sunday against the university it was just a positive performance from him batting through the innings – then going ballistic at the end.

“If he can do that again and have a great season for us, then happy days.”

As well as Matthews’s return, Lions have also snapped up all-rounder Tom Robinson, who is also set to feature this weekend.

Park did however confirm Rob Pack would miss the start of the season.

The left-arm spinner bizarrely picked up an ankle injury on a dancefloor during a team night out two weeks ago.

The skipper added: “Unfortunately, Rob has missed out because of injury. He tried to play on Saturday but common sense says that he’s going to miss one or two weeks.

“His ankle is just not up to it at the moment, which is a massive shame for the lad and he’s gutted.

“Maybe I’ll be really strict this summer and say there’s no nightclubbing for the lads!

“It wasn’t even drink orientated – he just genuinely twisted his ankle. He will be there on Saturday watching with us and will be back bowling his 10 overs soon.”

He added: “Some of our guys are five or six games in now and are right up for it. There is a buzz around the club being back in the Premier League.

“All of the young lads who have joined us over the past two or three years are really keen to test themselves.

“I just find we have a team of all-rounders now who want to bat in the top five and open the bowling. I have a few sleepless nights ahead I’m sure,just getting the balance of the team right with people in the right positions.

“There is a nice energy about the club.”

Bournemouth’s first home fixture is against Lymington on Saturday, May 11.