By Grockle
March 21 2005

We may be a week away if rumours about a Glamorgan friendly are true. April's WCM has arrived and the sun is out. Oh joy!! What awaits us in the Spring sunshine? One two or three international faces - none of them Aussie and a new domsetic captain in Noddy Turner. A largely untried front end works with an older back end with something to prove and ageing limbs to protect.

Captaincy

Rob Turner seems to have been given the crown in times when we have no international to take the part.  He will run the team on the field until Graham Smith  arrives after 15 May.  We are assuming that Marcus Trescothick will not be taking the helm during his three CC2 games with us.  Unfortunately, the majority of that time will be away from home (I think he may be playing during the Essex game) but we need the power of the man as we probably will not have the joys of Sanath Jayasuria - a real coup which seems to have been trumped by the man's own national cricket board, who have added a one day series against India which makes SJ less attractive to us.

Then in comes the SA boss.  What will we make of Mr Smith?  He doesn't seem to be too keen to take prisoners in his own national side and it will be really interesting to see how his manner sits within the Somerset structure.  He needs to find his form with the bat, as well as his level with the team.  His bowling was a surprising asset to the Boks in the series against England and we could possibly benefit from some more slow variation.  Job number one?  Win some Championship games away from home.

Early Fixtures

Heavy duty and hard work.  Starting with Lancashire in Manchester (pray for a dry week!) and a one day opener with old foes from Brum Warwickshire and then up North for a two stage rumble with the Tykes at Headingley over 5 days.  Rob has his work cut out and he may give us a winning season before the bigger names arrive if he can get us through this lot with maximum points. A month away should really sort the kinks out....or give Smiffy loads of headaches before he even gets here!

The Championship Batting

The starting line-up?  No Peter B, no Buzz.  John Francis was in good form at the end of the season and seems keen to set his stall out for a decade of opening.  He'll probably partner Banger at the start of 2005 and that should give him a real feel for it.  But what about when he goes?  Will we move back to Neil Edwards a choice at the start of last season with the stability of Bowler but that isn't there and Matt Wood must be given the other spot because it's his.  Simple as that.  Matt seemed to float in and out of favour in 2004 and that can't happen this year. 

Smith will probably move into Coxey's old place at three when he arrives, Woody will probably take this place for April (at least when Marcus T is playing).  And at four?  Will Mike Burns remain in place?  He ought to for next season...after that?  Well there's a lot to sort out.  Mr Edwards will have to fight for a place in this lot.  We have five people fighting for four places.  But above all we need three figure scores as a minimum from the top order rather than the all too common 50-ish

Middle Order?

The exciting bit?  The area where we can murder sides with the right start with the bat. James Hildreth (please God give us a second season to rival the first!) is on hell of a prospect if second termitis doesn't get him.  Ian Blackwell in VC mode and looking for something at county level to replace/reinvigorate his international ambitions.  A more dangerous bowler and a bully of poor bowling - we need both in large quantities please Ian.

Aaron Laraman? Big season for him.  He was going to be fighting it out with Alby Morkel but he isn't coming. He would probably find himself sitting April out if SJ arrives, not likely either.  And so?  He has a big job to do to fill the fourth seam place and number six or seven in the batting line-up.  Kev Shine said he was England quality and he hasn't had a full season to show us...but time is pushing on and AL needs to step up and be counted this year.  He was the best early season faqst man...he needs to stay fit and come again this year!

And where will Rob T stand?  He could look for a berth as a batsman, but can we afford his scoring rates?  Will we see the swashbuckling batsman of the late 90's or the more cautious man of this millennium?  Will he give the gloves up?  No chance in my humble opinion.  Noddy isn't ready yet and Carl Gazzard will have to wait for the four day gauntlets I am afraid.

The Bowling

There are two strands to Somerset's attack.  We have the real scary one. An in-form Andy Caddick (very cautious last season but still putting in the work and getting us wickets towards the end).  He surely wants to prove that he isn't over as a force.  An in-form Richard Johnson, injury prone but bloody awesome when he gets it right an can come in with confidence.  It's not too often and it may not last but let's see it in the early season please.  The returnee Mr Nixon Alexie McLean, speed merchant and strike force.  Welcome him back people, he may give us the UMMMPH we need if we are allowed to use him as that strike weapon rather than over bowling him because of injury.

Then there's the other one. Simon Francis - it may be a hard season for him and he needs to show consistency if he gets his chance.  He can be devastating or ineffectual and you never know which one is coming to the relevant party.  Injury will put him in the firing line and we need him too come up wiith the goods on a regular basis if that happens.  Michael Parsons looks really good and has had another year of putting flesh on the bones.  He isn't without experience any more and may be called upon to perform out of his skin this year.  2005 could be his.  Gareth Andrew has a lot to do to keep a permanent place in this four day squad and may concentrate on the one dayers as a more lucrative area for himself.  But should we become injury hit then he'll be expected to put it together and answer the call..not sure he can do it yet but he may surprise more than me.  Wes Durston became the web supporter's favourite last year and has rarely let the first team down when called to the crease.  But his job will probably come in the one day squad (more of that later) and more for his batting ability than his slow ball tricks.

Arul Suppiah and Michael Munday may see some play this year.  The latter more probable than the former.  Thheir bowling prowess needs some first team work and where Mike may spend this seasoon paying his dues in the seconds, Arul may find himself seconded to the firsts in a batsman role should the treatment tables start to fill up.

EPILOGUE

The one day story is yet to come but that seems to be the case for the four dayers.  Where will we finish?  We SHOULD be fighting for a promotion place.  We SHOULD be a side no-one wants to get into a fight with.  We have strong talent but fragile confidence.  The start of the year is hard and it could be the making of us....it could also destroy us.  Rob Turner has to handle April really well and the players need to stand up and be counted for their temporary boss.  If that happens then Smiffy may be able to bask in another's glory.

If it doesn't happen then Graham S may earn absolutely every penny of the massive salary we have paid him.  It will really be a baptism of fire for the young South African.  I'd rather see Noddy baptised in the blood of battle and Somerset on the road to a winning season before Mr Smith even gets here.  April is going to be loads of fun!