DORSET captain Luke Webb admits everyone associated with the county team “can’t wait to be back” at Dorchester Rec tomorrow (11am).
Webb’s men tackle rivals Devon in their NCCA Trophy Group Two derby as county cricket returns to the Rec for the first time this millennium.
Speaking to Echosport, Webb emphasised just how much he is looking forward to the fixture, for which Dorchester’s Jon Legg will be 12th man.
He said: “To be back playing at the county town after quite a while is fantastic. Everyone to do with the club – players, staff, committee – can’t wait to be back for what should be a good occasion.
“I know Dorchester are taking a lot of pride in it and are doing some fantastic work to make it a special day.
“From our point of view, we’re very grateful and we absolutely can’t wait to play (tomorrow) and in the future as well.”
Webb has already had a taste of the Dorch Rec pitch in pre-season for club side Bournemouth.
He certainly found the conditions to his liking, scoring a glorious 117 not out from 120 balls.
READ MORE: Webb hits 117 not out for Bournemouth at Dorchester
He said: “It was quite nice when we had that pre-season match. I saw we were playing Dorchester away and obviously I had the Dorset game in the back of my mind.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity and I’d not played at Dorchester since I was younger.
“It was good to be able to play there, meet some of the guys there that are helping to get the game all lined up.
“Jim Ryall (groundsman) has done a fantastic job, it’s a nice outfield and the pitch played well when I played there.
“That was very early in the season so I’m sure a lot of work would’ve been done on it to have a really good pitch.
“The facilities are looking top class and one of the biggest pulls for Dorchester is the support they’re able to generate in the county town.
“They get a lot of interest and hopefully get a lot of people down there to watch.”
Webb also had his say on Legg, who took six wickets on debut for Dorset in 2018.
He said: “He did very well, that six-for against Shropshire was a very accomplished left-arm spinning performance against a good batting line-up.
“Jon was fantastic when he came into the side for us and it will be fantastic to see him again.”
Dorset’s stand-out performer this season has been spinner Rob Pack, whose combined figures of 9-98 in 30 overs have caught the eye.
Webb said: “Rob’s been fantastic, anyone that’s watched him bowl this season will see how beautifully he’s bowling.
“He’s getting very good cricketers out and at times he’s looking dangerous with every ball he takes.
“Rob’s been on a mission to become as good as possible and, I’ll be honest, it’s made a massive difference to his bowling.
“He’s been absolutely top class. He’s taking wickets and not going for many runs and his batting’s improved as well.
“He’s having a huge impact for the county and long may it continue.”
Dorset: Soames, Willows, Webb, Eckland, Ellis, Gordon, Woodruff, Pack, Digby, B Currie, Petrie. 12th man: J Legg
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