The Chief Executive was delighted with the results of the last few days. "We got our first points in the National league in six starts – we lost the last three in 2000, and had lost the previous two this season," he said, but went on: "the trouble is we are not setting other teams targets when we bat and we are not reaching targets when we are chasing."

"At Leicestershire we got out of jail and in the end we were happy to get the draw which keeps us in touch with the CricInfo Championship leaders. We've prepared properly, but once again we have had no luck with injuries which have affected us badly."

With regard to Ben Trott, the fast bowler who Somerset released at the end of the 1999 season and who helped his new county Kent to a fine win over Essex, taking a career best 11 for 79 he said: "I'm thrilled to bits for him. There wasn't a way through for him here. Our attitude is that when anyone moves on we wish them well, so were delighted for him."

Mr Anderson also talked highly of two other young players; Joe Tucker, who took 12 wickets in the match to help Somerset Second XI defeat a strong Surrey Second XI team at Taunton last week, and Michael Cole, who plays club cricket for Bridgwater and who scored two 60s.

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