DORCHESTER are relishing the return to the longer format at home to Poole Town tomorrow (1pm).
Attentions in Premier One and Two turn to 100-over cricket for the next five weeks and, with it, a catalogue of nuances.
Players in Premier One revert to traditional whites and the red ball but the big change comes in the first innings, where the batting side can use a maximum of 55 overs or declare.
To win the game, the side bowling second must take all 10 wickets in the remaining overs to prevent a draw.
READ MORE: Bere Regis advance to T20 Finals Day - report
Winning teams earn 22 points but bonus points are awarded to teams in the event of a draw. In this scenario, the team with the higher net run rate earns five bonus points and the other side collects two.
There are also penalties applied for slow over rates. Teams could lose between one and six points if the 17-overs-per-hour rate is not adhered to.
In Premier One, bowlers can have a maximum of 12 overs, instead of 10, while in Premier Two there are unlimited overs. This means one bowler could bowl 28 overs and a second bowler 27.
To encourage teams to go for the win by creating attacking fields, there are no fielding restrictions and no 30-yard circle.
Assessing the new format, Dorchester captain Gautham Rajendar told Echosport: “We’re quite happy moving on to the longer format and seeing how it plays out.
“I guess a lot of that will depend on who we’re playing and the approach the other side takes but we’re hoping to push for outright wins.
“I’d like to believe we’re capable of playing the longer format in quite a similar manner to the 50-overs but adapt to the situation.”
Dorchester Seconds face a big derby at Charlton Down in County Division Two, Dorchester Thirds host Symene Seconds in Six West and Dorchester Fourths visit Christchurch Thirds in Six East (all 1pm tomorrow).
Dorchester: Rajendar, Owens, Mitchem, Stewart, Belt, Maltby, Jones, Nobbs, Hill, Peach, Scott.
Elsewhere, current Premier One leaders Bere Regis are hoping to protect their slender advantage over Dorchester at the summit.
Brian Keegan’s men visit Sherborne tomorrow (1pm) and are relishing the challenges posed by the 100-over rules.
“We’re looking forward to the new format and obviously there’s a declaration potentially,” he said.
“It’s just working out how you get round things, with 12 overs per bowler as well as the winning draw and losing draw.
“It’s a change of thinking and tactics. If we keep things simple, that’s where the consistency comes from. It’s something completely different.”
Jacob Kennard, Pete Macklin, Pete Russell and Theo Talbot miss out for Sam Goodhew, James Keegan, Sean Walbridge and Harry Green.
Bere Regis Seconds host second-placed Broadstone Seconds in Division Two tomorrow (1pm).
Bere: Munnings, J Keegan, S Goodhew, Robertson, T Goodhew, B Keegan, Walbridge, Green, White, Rogerson, Murphy.
Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne.
Bere first XI match ball sponsor: GMS Plumbing and Heating.
Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Dorset Reclamation.
Also adapting to the new rules are Martinstown, unbeaten in the longer format this season.
Charlie Durant’s men host Christchurch tomorrow (1pm) and the Town skipper does not expect a drawn game.
He said: “Everyone’s excited to get back to league action. We’ve had three weeks away but I don’t think there will be any readjustment.
“It’s important to get back on it with a good start and stay at the top of the league.
“Christchurch will play the way they play, they’re a very attacking side, so I don’t think there’s any danger of a draw if they bat in the second innings. They will always go for the win.”
He added: “There’s a lot of different things involved. In our league there’s no bowling restrictions, so there’s a good chance that someone like myself or Dave Trotter will do a lot of bowling.
“It will be a tough one on the bodies for bowlers but hopefully we can get the win.”
Martinstown are without opener Henry Lewis but hand a debut to Barbados seamer Demario Slocombe.
Martinstown Seconds visit Marnhull Seconds in Division Four tomorrow (1pm).
Martinstown: Nichols, S Williams, Ry Gerety, F Williams, Kane, Hill, Kepple, Slocombe, Durant, Trotter, J Gerety.
Main sponsor: The Brewers Arms, Martinstown.
Back to the regular 45-over format, Weymouth are tomorrow seeking a second win over Beaminster in three weeks, having won by 96 runs in the reverse fixture.
Lloyd Beals’ men host the west Dorset side at Redlands (1pm) looking to build on an impressive five-wicket win over Poole Town Seconds last week.
He said: “Perfection is impossible, failure is a part of sport. I/we as a team can accept failure.
“The biggest thing I look for is how we respond, not to dwell on every loss. We came back very strong last week but now isn’t the time to dwell on a good win.
“There is another job to do this weekend and our focus is on winning this battle.
“They seemed over the moon and proud of their performance after their loss to us a few weeks back. I don’t expect much backlash.”
Weymouth also have the luxury of a strong second team, bolstered by Jonny Armfield, Tom England and Cube Whyte.
Beals added: “Selection has always been difficult this season. We’ve dropped at least one person you would consider a first XI match-winner every week so far.
“It’s enjoyable to have the team sorted every Monday and relax the rest of the week. If we were having a first XI versus second XI match this weekend, I couldn’t pick a winner.”
Weymouth Seconds visit Blandford Seconds in a top-of-the-table Division Four clash tomorrow (1pm).
Weymouth: Haylock, J Sapsworth, Walton, Womble, Gregory, Wills, Beals, Mitchell, Urumancheri, P Sapsworth, Ahmad.
Matchday sponsor: Active Mobility.
Elsewhere in Division One, Portland Red Triangle are seeking a more disciplined bowling performance when they host Witchampton tomorrow (1pm).
Triangle gave away 47 extras as the Witches chased 217 with relative ease, leaving skipper Matt Randell in no doubt as to where improvements must lie.
“For us, it’s got to be discipline with the ball,” he said.
“At Witchampton if we didn’t bowl as many wides we had enough runs and would’ve won.
“If we can bowl as well as we bowled in the first 23 overs (at Wimborne) then we’ll be able to put them under more pressure.”
Matt Barrett returns this week to bolster Portland’s opening spot.
Triangle’s seconds visit Division Five leaders Rolex tomorrow (1pm).
Portland: M Barrett, M Kazimi, D Adkins, Randell, Munro, J Adkins, Potts, Samuel, J Davey, J Marsh, IM Kazimi.
Main sponsor: A2Z Landscaping.
In Division Two, Puddletown are on the cusp of taking three straight wins after victories over Broadstone Seconds and Charlton Down.
The Kingfishers welcome Sturminster & Hinton tomorrow (1pm) and vice-captain Kieron Knight is looking to return the favour after losing the reverse fixture by four wickets.
He said: “I feel it was just a batting collapse at their place. We’ve got to try and spread the runs a little bit.
“The whole league is so tight, so a couple of good results could see you climb two or three places quite quickly. Winning games builds a bit of momentum for us.”
Puddletown bring in Andy Ennals, Charlie Eccleson, Alex Fairman and Devon Derrien but Pete Phillips, Steve Chaldecott, James Morris and Dave Morris miss out.
Puddletown will make a late call on selection.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here