SOUTH AFRICA’S U19 World Cup-winning star Bradley Dial would love to return to Lechlade CC next season – if they will have him!

Dial and his team-mates clinched the Glos/Wilts Division title of the West of England Premier League with a 56-run win at Warminster on Saturday.

It means they have earned promotion to Premier Two for the first time in the club’s 125-year history.

And Dial has topped the club’s batting averages, contributing heavily to the side’s success.

He made the best possible start with a ton in his opening game against Westbury in May, endured an inconsistent spell in the middle of the season, but finished it strongly with match-winning knocks of 94 not out, 144 and 70 on his last three appearances.

“We have not done much celebrating yet because we have one more game to play and then we will combine it with some leaving parties as I will soon be going back to South Africa,” said Dial.

“We were definitely the best team in the league. The runs that myself and Joe Breet scored were the anchor for the side.

“I found my form towards the back end of the season because I got used to the conditions and I adapted my game plan. I began to take the ball later and hit it more over the top.

“I think my form dipped a bit when I was also keeping wicket but I settled into the No.3 role “The 144 was the biggest knock but the 94 against Rockhampton in the top-of-the-table clash in July was the most satisfying innings.”

Dial’s only regret is that he did not earn a net or a trial with Gloucestershire – ‘maybe I did not score enough runs’, he reasoned – but feels he may get on their radar if he has a strong season with his Springbok side Gauteng Strikers whose season begins again in October.

And he is convinced Lechlade can cope at the next level.

“Potterne, who pipped Lechlade to the Glos/Wilts title last season are up near the top of Premier Two,” he said.

“I get the impression that Lechlade would have me back and it would make sense to return among people that I know “I have talked to my dad about it and I will also speak to my agent when I get back.”