TEAM boss Sean Walbridge expects big guns Darren Cowley and Glyn Treagus to come out fighting after the pair were surprisingly omitted by Dorset for their crucial Minor Counties Trophy tie at Bedfordshire.

Cowley and Treagus, both Dorset stalwarts, have paid the price for the county’s poor start in the limited overs competition and will sit out Sunday’s win-or-bust group clash at Dunstable.

Cowley and Treagus will line up for Dorset in their T20 double-header against Gloucestershire at Sherborne School tomorrow (5pm) and Hampshire at Dean Park on Bank Holiday Monday (2.30pm).

However, when Dorset bid to keep alive their Minor Counties Trophy campaign, Cowley and Treagus are likely to turn out for Lymington in the Southern Electric T20 Cup.

Explaining the decision, Walbridge told the Daily Echo: “We wanted to go with a younger side in this game because it is a must-win. It is hard on Darren and Glyn but, unfortunately, hard decisions need to be made sometimes.

“I am sure they will want to go out and show us we have made a massive mistake.”

Former Bournemouth and Parley youngster David Payne has been named in the Gloucestershire squad, although Sri Lankan legend Murali Muralitharan is not expected to feature for the Gladiators.

Dorset Leopards: Adolphus, Treagus, Lawrence, Cowley, Flowers, J Park, Watkins, House, Wolstenholme, C Park, Denham, Linge.

Gloucestershire Gladiators: Young, Gidman, C Taylor, Williamson, Dent, Purchase, Cockbain, J Taylor, Dawson, Payne, Norwell, Spencer.