DORSET will be without skipper Tom Hicks for tomorrow’s Minor Counties Championship Knockout Trophy group match at Buckinghamshire.

Instead of taking to the field Hicks will instead be in the capital running the London Marathon while Paul Warren (back) and Rich Banham (shin) are both injured, and Darren Cowley is unavailable.

Despite missing the services of that talented quartet manager Sean Walbridge is hopeful that vice-captain Chris Park can lead his side to a successful start in the one-day competition.

He said: “We are all looking forward to it. We have had great preparation and everyone is ready to get going.

“It is a shame we will be without Tom but I am sure Chris will be a more than able deputy. Traditionally I think the London Marathon is usually a little earlier in April so when Tom applied he did not know he would be missing this game but we have good depth in the squad and we are pleased with the side we have available.

“Darren is also unavailable as he is attending a wedding and Rich and Paul are both injured. Paul injured his back in last week’s friendly against Hampshire Seconds while Rich damaged his shin whilst on trial at Hampshire.

“It is frustrating to be without both Rich and Paul but we are in a fortunate position where we have got plenty of cover in the seamer department with an embarrassment of riches.

“As for Buckinghamshire, we played them last year under a rain-restricted game and although I think they will be a stiff test for us I did not see anything in their side that we have to be particularly fearful of.

“As long as we get out there and play like we have been doing in the pre-season friendlies I am hopeful we can come away with a positive result.”

Dorchester all-rounder Dan Belt has retained his place in Dorset’s squad despite falling for a duck in last Sunday’s eight-wicket defeat against Hampshire Seconds where he also failed to pick up a wicket.

Dorset: Glyn Treagus, Nick Park, Chris Jones, Steve Selwood, Roger Sillence, Chris Park (c) (wk), Matt Metcalfe, Max Waller, Simon Watkins, Ed Denham, Dave Kidner, Dan Belt. Scorer: Chris Drew.