TOM Hicks has urged Bournemouth University to improve Dean Park – or risk next month’s Minor Counties Championship final becoming a damp squib.

Dorset captain Hicks took 10 wickets against Wales Minor Counties earlier this week to fire his county to the Western Division title.

Sean Walbridge’s unbeaten side are now set to face Eastern Division champions Lincolnshire in a four-day clash starting on September 5, which will decide the overall championship.

But Hicks believes the current state of the Dean Park track means the championship finale could go the same way as this week’s meeting with the Principality and leave supporters feeling short-changed.

Dorset did manage two scores of over 200 against Wales, but the visitors were dismissed for lowly totals of 159 and 157 as Walbridge’s side eased to a 129-run win after just 4.2 overs of day three.

Hicks, whose match figures were 10 for 94, told the Echo: “Without pointing too many fingers, there have been a few reports about the pitch in the paper and it has gone downhill over the past two or three years in the way it’s been maintained.

“It’s been in our favour because we’ve managed to get some positive results there but that’s not necessarily the be-all and end-all.

“It’s a fantastic arena to play cricket in, but the university needs to make sure it maintains the high standards we’ve had over the past 10 to 15 years. Those standards are showing signs of slipping.

“The game against Wales was over in the best part of two days and the final is four days. It will take some careful and proper preparation to make it into a four-day pitch.

“There will be a lot of people who will want to come and watch the final and they need to make sure the pitch can go the distance and that it can be a fair contest between bat and ball. It’s been a little bowler-friendly this season.”

Hicks became the second Dorset spinner this season to take 10 wickets in a match, after Jack Leach claimed 13 victims in the three-wicket win over Herefordshire in July.

Hicks added: “From a personal point of view, I’d never complain when the ball is turning, but it needs to turn at the right times – not early on day one.

“We have, at times, scored over 300 at Dean Park so I hope that having home advantage will pay off against Lincolnshire.

“They beat us in a one-day game at Sherborne and they are experienced, getting to the Knockout Cup final. They are bound to provide a good contest, but if we play well, we can win.”

A Bournemouth University spokesman said: “Bournemouth University congratulates Sean Walbridge, Tom Hicks and the Dorset squad on their success this year and hope to see the unbeaten run extend at the Minor Counties Championship final.

“The university is proud of its association with Dean Park and recognises that the ground is an important part of the town’s sporting and cultural heritage and it remains a vital hub for cricket in the region. We are naturally disappointed to hear negative comments, particularly when it is our aim to provide a great venue for a wide variety of users and spectators.”