TOM Hicks is confident Dorset have the quality to prove a match for any of their rivals in the MCCA Trophy.

Dorset progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition – despite losing their final group match in Swansea on Sunday.

They finished runners-up to Staffordshire by virtue of a higher net run-rate and qualified to book a trip to Cheshire in the last eight on June 17.

Although his men were skittled for a disappointing 115 in difficult batting conditions at the weekend, captain Hicks believes Dorset can prosper in the top one-day competition in Minor Counties cricket.

Hicks, who is in his sixth season as skipper, told the Daily Echo: “We didn’t bat well on Sunday – regardless of the conditions. But, on paper, we have a very strong side. We bat deep and, hopefully, Sunday was just one of those days when we didn’t click.

“If we can put a score on the board, we have got a bowling attack with high class bowlers. There is no weak link in the bowling attack.”

Wales claimed victory over Dorset by reaching 116 for four – but making them bat into the 38th over proved crucial for the visitors.

Hicks, 32, added: “We had information that we needed to take them to the 36th over in order to make our net run-rate good enough to go through.

“The fact we managed to restrict them to a low run-rate was a good effort by the guys in the field.”