DORSET captain Luke Webb insists there will be no “easy pass” in the NCCA T20 competition this season.
Webb leads Dorset into battle against neighbours Wiltshire tomorrow in a double-header at Bashley (11am).
It is the first time the event has been held since 2019, when Dorset lost by nine wickets in the final to Hertfordshire.
In addition to Wiltshire, Dorset are joined in Group Two by Herefordshire and Cornwall as they seek to go one better than their superb 2019 run.
However, Bournemouth batter Webb acknowledged the steep challenges lying in wait for the county side in 2022.
READ MORE: Luke Webb backs Ed Ellis to shine as Dorset coach
“I don’t think there’s an easy game in the competition, no matter what format or team you’re playing,” he told Echosport.
“You don’t get an easy pass against anyone. We know Wiltshire very well, they’re our neighbours and play them across all formats, all season.
“We’re familiar with them but it will be a tough match. As you’d expect at this level, you don’t turn up with an easy game and Wiltshire will provide a really good challenge for us.”
He added: “I speak on behalf of the whole group, everyone can’t wait. Especially as we haven’t played Twenty20 since 2019.
“It’s a great format, everyone loves playing Twenty20 and we can’t wait to get going.”
Dorset warmed up for the beginning of the National Counties season with two low-scoring wins against Free Foresters at Sherborne School.
In the opening game, Dorset elected to bat first and set a vulnerable-looking 100-8 from their 20 overs as Joe Eckland scored a run-a-ball 35.
Former Weymouth all-rounder Ben Ladd-Gibbon (3-13) was then the pick of the bowlers in successfully defending the low total, bowling Foresters out for 73 in 12.5 overs.
Dorset enjoyed a more comfortable path to victory in the second clash, winning by eight wickets.
Wajid Shah (35) was the only Foresters batter to breach the 20-run mark in posting a total of 107-6, Broadstone talent Eddie Jack claiming 2-19.
Dorset paced their chase smartly and reached their target with 10 balls to spare.
Former Hampshire man Oli Soames (37no) helped them home with Alex Eckland (21no) after good work from Webb (29).
“It was a pre-season run-out to get back into the format,” Webb said.
“You want to win whatever game you’re playing in, so it was really nice to get two wins under the belt – one batting second and one batting first.
“Pretty much everyone involved had a good bat and bowl. We got the winning habits started and good miles in the legs.”
Dorset have named a 12-man squad to face Wiltshire, with Ladd-Gibbon – who played for Weymouth as a teenager between 2008 and 2010 – earning his place.
Tom Prest, who skippered England Under-19s to the World Cup final earlier this year, is the standout name in the Dorset side.
New signing Harry Broderick is also selected, along with exciting 21-year-old batter Sam Young who returns to Dorset after a two-year professional spell with Somerset.
Young featured for Dorset in the entire T20 campaign for 2019 and has experience at England Under-19 level.
Dorset (from): Broderick, B Currie, A Eckland, Ellis, Gordon, B Ladd-Gibbon, Pack, Prest, Soames, Webb, Woodruff, Young.
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