Following their most successful season ever Somerset County Cricket Club today announced that the following new contracts have been offered:-
Keith Dutch, Ian Blackwell and Steffan Jones all 3 years,
Keith Parsons and Matt Wood both 2 years,
Jason Kerr and Joe Tucker both 1 year.

Fast bowler Jamie Grove, who joined the Cidermen from Essex two years ago has had his contract mutually ended, whilst another fast bowler Ian Jones has also been released.

Twenty three year old fast bowler Simon Francis, who has been released this season by Hampshire has joined Somerset. The former England under 19 player made his first team debut for the south coast side in 1997 and played in nine first class matches in 2000 taking 15 wickets at an average of just over 40 runs a piece.

Somerset have also announced that the former Hampshire reserve wicket-keeper Mark Garaway has been appointed Regional Academy Director working from the Somerset Centre of Excellence at The County Ground.

Part of his duties will include being responsible for the Somerset Second XI, but his overall responsibility is for the identification and development of young players throughout the South West Region.

Twenty nine year old Garaway lived for a time in West Somerset, commences his duties on October 29th 2001.

Speaking earlier this evening Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me, "On the back of a very successful season what we are trying to achieve is to retain a balance between proven players we currently have on contract, but allowing us room to manoeuvre should we wish to make changes to the playing staff."

With regard to the release of Jamie Grove the Chief Executive said, "Jamie wanted to play regular first team cricket and we couldn't offer it. He is young enough to go and look elsewhere so we agreed to let him go."

The Chief also confirmed that Jamie Cox has signed to return to Taunton next season and will continue in his role of captain.

© SOMERSET