Trescothick and Hildreth to lead Somerset

Trescothick plays a shot. Photo: Dom McIntyre (via Flickr)

Somerset Cricket today announced that Marcus Trescothick will lead the team for the 2014 cricket season as Captain, and he will be ably assisted by James Hildreth as Vice Captain.

Somerset’s Director of Cricket Dave Nosworthy said: “We have thought carefully about the way forward and I am delighted to appoint Tres as the Captain for the coming 2014 season. He has an outstanding record as a player and as Captain and therefore I am highly confident that he will do the business this coming season and look forward to working very closely with him.”

“Naturally we know that Tres cannot carry on and captain and play forever, and as such we will take stock again at the end of the 2014 season – whilst ensuring that our leadership development programmes and succession plans are in place and invested upon.”

The Director of Cricket, who has been mulling over the leadership over the past few months and who has already made some internal staff structural changes went on to say:  “I am delighted that Hildy has accepted the position of Vice Captain and has stepped up into this key leadership role. It is a real opportunity for him as a senior player in the team to participate fully in team decisions and to further establish himself as a leader in the group. In the past Hildy has had some captaincy experience and I have no doubt that he will dovetail superbly with Tres – as they together start to form an effective working partnership.”

Trescothick said: “I am delighted to be at the helm of Somerset again. This will be my fifth year when I will be trying to lead the boys onto better things, and it should be a good year.”

“I have still got that drive to go out and win the games. Leading the team puts that extra bit of pressure on me but also makes it a bit more special when you do well so the challenge is set. We appreciate what we have to do and all the hard work we have to put in.”

“I am very happy to have Hildy as my vice captain. He has taken charge a few times over the past few seasons and he is progressing well, and I think in time he will be a natural leader of a team.”

Hildreth said: “I feel very privileged and proud to take on the role of vice captain of Somerset and the responsibility that goes with it. It’s a great opportunity for me to get more experience of leadership.”

“I have captained the side a few times in the past and really enjoyed it and this is a step that I have always wanted to take. Luckily the chance has presented itself to me so now I’m looking forward to the challenges.”

“Tres leads the team really well so hopefully we can form a good partnership and take the Club forward.”

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Petersen to return to Somerset in 2014

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Somerset County Cricket Club are delighted to be able to announce that South African Test batsman Alviro Petersen will be returning to the Club as our overseas player for the 2014 season.

During his spell with the County in 2013 the top order batter, who has played in 26 Test matches, appeared in six Championship games in which he scored 562 runs at an average of 46.83, including a century on his debut at the Oval.

In the seven YB40 games that he played Alviro averaged 38.20 while in the FLt20 he appeared in four matches and averaged just over 30 with the bat.

Alviro’s spell with Somerset was interrupted when he was called up twice for international duties with South Africa, but this coming season his home country do not have any commitments during the English season so he is expected to be at the County Ground for the whole of the summer.

Alviro said: “I am delighted to have signed for Somerset CCC for the 2014 season, and look forward to contributing to the club once more.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club last year, and the support I received from supporters, players, administrators and coaches was indeed special. I’m proud and very happy to be associated with such special people and supporters.”

Dave Nosworthy the director of cricket said: “Bringing Alviro back for the entire 2014 season as our overseas player is indeed good news for the Club and we are all delighted that he has committed.  Alviro is a quality player and a quality person, and we look forward to his contributions both on and off the field.”

“Last season Alviro’s tenure was somewhat disrupted by his unexpected recall back into the South African ODI squad – but this coming season we envisage having Alviro around with us for the entire season, apart from a possible short Test Series against Zimbabwe as per the ICC’s Future Tours programme.”

The DOC added: “This coming season is an important season for us and as usual we canvassed and researched player options and balances thoroughly and always in the best interests of the team. Ultimately Alviro remained our stand out option and its great news that we’ll have a familiar face once again gracing our beloved County Ground and surrounds.”

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Kieswetter and Thomas face Big Bash showdown

Craig Kieswetter keeps the wicket during an 2010 ODI match. Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

Craig Kieswetter and Alfonso Thomas will be going head to head later this year when their two teams meet in the Australian T20 Big Bash.

Craig was the leading run scorer in t20 in England last summer with 517 runs at an average of 64.62, while Alfonso is the top wicket taker in the world in the short format with 231 scalps at an average of 20.80.

While Alfonso is an experienced campaigner on the world t20 stage having played in India, South Africa, and Australia, Craig will be having his first experience of playing domestic t20 overseas.

The Somerset duo will have their showdown when Craig’s Brisbane Heat entertain Alfonso’s Perth Scorchers on December 22nd.

Looking ahead to the encounter the pace-man said: “Last season the Scorchers lost in the final to Brisbane Heat where Craig will be playing this time round and we have got to play them away in our first game. I am really looking forward to it.”

Alfonso went on: “We are both very fierce competitors and won’t be holding anything back so Craig will definitely be a handful.”

“Craig has had a fantastic season and while I hope he doesn’t do too well in the first game, I hope he is successful in the rest of the tournament.”

The Somerset vice captain added: “To be batting with Craig keeping wicket will be quite interesting, but I hope I don’t have to bat, because if I do we will either be in trouble or I will have to try and hit the winning runs!”

Somerset CCC

Overton twins sign new deals for Somerset CCC

19-year-old Jamie Overton, pictured, hails from Barnstaple in North Devon. Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

Somerset County Cricket Club are very pleased to announce that both Craig and Jamie Overton have signed extensions to their contracts at the Club for a further three seasons.

The 19 year old twins, who hail from North Devon, graduated through the SomersetAcademy and made their County debuts in 2012.

Since then they have both gone on to play for the England Lions while Jamie was a member of the England One Day squad for the series against Australia during this summer.

Somerset’s Director of Cricket Dave Nosworthy said: “As a Club we are extremely pleased to have secured these two young diamonds. Both Craig and Jamie are very highly rated nationally and as west-country lads we are excited to be able help them develop and at the same time to have them performing on the field for us.” The DOC added: “Long term expectation around these two is high, so it will be key now for them to just keep their feet on the ground and to get the hard yards in.”

Craig Overton said: “It is an honour to have signed an extension with the Club I have always supported and have always wanted to play for. It is an exciting time for me and I can’t wait to get back out on the field come the 2014 season.”

Jamie Overton said: “Signing a new three year deal with Somerset is the cherry on top in terms of what has already happened for me this season. I look forward to a long association with the Club, and to winning as much silverware along the way as possible.”

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Your guide to Somerset CCC

With the sun finally starting to break through the clouds and flowers starting to blossom, the summer is on its way – what better way to spend it than the traditional English pastime of watching cricket? Somerset are our closest first-class team and also happen to be one of the best in the country with a host of international stars. A day at the cricket can cost as little as £20 and is the perfect way to enjoy those lazy summer afternoons.

Somerset captain Marco Trescothick. Photo credits to zimbio.com

Somerset are one of the oldest sporting sides in the country, having played their first match against Lancashire in 1875. Although they have been playing in the County Championship for 120 years, they are yet to win the biggest trophy in county cricket. However, they have been close on many occasions in recent history having finished as runners up in 2001, 2010 and 2012.

Somerset’s greatest successes have been in the one day arena where they have collected seven trophies. The vast majority of these were won in the late 70s and early 80s when they could call upon international superstars Viv Richards, Joel Garner and Ian Botham. They have also enjoyed Twenty20 cricket since its inception in 2003 having reached four finals and collecting one title.

In recent years, Somerset have been a major force in county cricket and have produced a number of England players including Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Caddick and Craig Kieswetter. Last year, Somerset were consistently strong across all formats of the game but could not quite get over the finishing line and win the silverware they were seeking. They only lost one match in the County Championship but never really challenged the eventual champions Warwickshire despite some strong individual performances.

In the limited overs competitions, they narrowly missed out on the latter stages of the Clydesdale Bank 40 whilst they came unstuck against Hampshire in the Twenty Cup semi-final. They suffered with injuries and international call-ups to key players throughout the season whilst they also had bad luck with the weather. The star players of 2012 were undoubtedly Nick Compton and Peter Trego who both had personal best seasons with the bat and ball respectively.

All in all, 2012 was a season of unfulfilled expectations which resulted in Coach Brian Rose resigning over the winter. This year, Somerset have one of strongest squads in county cricket and should once again be challenging for honours; the new Director of Cricket is South African Dave Nosworthy, who has already introduced a culture of hard work and mental preparation.

Somerset’s strength lies in the batting department where they have a good blend of youth and experience. Although Nick Compton will be missing for much of the season due to England commitments, the likes of James Hildreth, Jos Buttler and overseas star Alviro Petersen should rack up plenty of runs. Steve Kirby and Alfonso Thomas will lead the bowling attack with support from the inexperienced Overton twins and George Dockrell.

Craig Kieswetter, batsman and wicket-keeper for Somerset. Photo credits to BBC

Their best chance of success may once again be in the one day competitions with canny bowlers and powerful batsmen who can regularly clear the boundary. Supporters will be hoping for the trophy drought to end in 2013 and there may never be a better time to head down to Taunton to watch some cricket.

Taunton is renowned for being one of the best batting surfaces in the country, making it particularly popular with fans of one day cricket. The wicket is traditionally flat and the boundaries very short meaning that there are always plenty of boundaries in a day’s play. With a capacity of 9,000, the atmosphere can be electric at Twenty20 matches.

For the LV= County Championship, the adult ticket is available for £13 advance or £18 on the day, whilst for YB40, FLt20, or tourist matches, the adult ticket costs £20 advance or £25 on the day. The advance prices are available until midnight on the day before the match so buying in advance is strongly recommended if the weather forecast looks good!

Taunton is easily accessible for Exeter students, either by a 30-minute train ride from St. Davids (£7.20 return), or a short trip up the M5 by car. Both methods  require short walks once you get there, so be sure to check out the Somerset website for directions. With professional cricket on our doorstep, there really is no excuse not to catch a Somerset match before you leave University.

Simon Dewhurst