SEAN Walbridge believes the blow of losing captain Tom Hicks for the Minor Counties Championship final has been softened by the return of four key names.

Somerset trio Max Waller, Chris Jones and Jack Leach have all been made available by their parent club while top-order batsman Chris Morgan also rejoins the ranks for the end-of-season crunch, which starts tomorrow at Dean Park (10.30am).

And the quartet will fill the voids left by skipper Hicks, Aaron Williams, Josh Lawrence and Eric Linge.

Team boss Walbridge, whose Western Division champions host Lincolnshire in the four-day clash, said: “The big disappointment is that Tom Hicks can’t play because of work commitments. It’s a shame for him as he has done so much to get us to the final in the first place.

“His performances have been outstanding and he will be a big loss, but we have got a more than able deputy in Chris Park and he will pick up the baton and do a great job.

“We’re also missing Aaron Williams, who has gone travelling for a year, and Josh Lawrence, who also has work commitments, but the positives are that we are able to bring in some fantastic replacements.

“Max Waller is a tremendous player and has played some first-team cricket for Somerset, Chris Jones will open the batting with Nick Park, Chris Morgan will replace Aaron and then we’ve also got Jack Leach who took 13 wickets in a fantastic performance against Herefordshire earlier in the season.

“Therefore the blow of losing the players we have is lessened by the guys who we have brought in.”

Dorset are contesting their first final since 2000, which ended in glory following a five-wicket victory over Cumberland, and Walbridge has tasked his men with providing the silver lining to an already impressive campaign.

He added: “It’s 10 years since we last won the Western Division and we also went on to win the final that year as well.

“This final is something the players should treasure. Winning the division again is a fantastic achievement, the next step is to make it a stellar season by winning the final.

“If we can then it will be something special that will stick with the players for the rest of their lives.

“We want strong characters out there who will hold their nerve. The main thing is that we keep doing what we have been doing.

“If we can get some partnerships together we have the bowlers who can put pressure on the opposition.

“It’s crucial that we bat our 90 overs in the first innings and get a big score.”

Asked about tomorrow’s opponents, Walbridge said: “We know a little about them. They are a good unit and they also reached the final of the one-day competition this year.

“We will give them all the respect they deserve but given the fact the match is on home turf, we are hoping that will give us some sort of advantage.”

Dorset: N Park, Jones, Morgan, Treagus, Cowley, C Park, Metcalfe, Waller, Denham, Leach, Wilson, Clark. Scorer: Chris Drew.