There could only be one name for the new `Hero of the Week', and that is Ian Blackwell who was nominated without hesitation by both Peter Anderson and Kevin Shine, immediately after the momentous victory over Kent in the semi final of the Cheltenham, and Gloucester Trophy at Taunton on Thursday.

Ian played a major part with both bat and ball in helping the Cidermen pull off their best one day victory of the season, so far, to ensure that he walks out at the Lord's final on August 31st, to take on Yorkshire.

The only problem as far as the Somerset website is concerned is that Ian has already been named as `Hero of the Week' this season, so we couldn't ask him the same questions again.

Instead I asked Ian some questions about the game on Thursday, and also about his cricketing future.

Q What were your thoughts looking back over the semi final game?
A After we scored 345 we had to feel confident, but then Kent set off so well and they looked dangerous. When `Johnno' went off, and then Kent needed just 8 or 9 runs to win I really did think that it was slipping away. But then Keith Dutch and Simon Francis both got great run outs and all of a sudden we felt that we were back in the game, and of course as it turned out we were. `Franco's' run out was an instinctive piece of fielding and the turning point of the match for us.

Q How does the Kent game compare to other close finishes that you have played in?
A Apart from the NUL game against Yorkshire earlier in the season down here, when we lost by one run chasing over 300 this is the most exciting finish that I have ever played in.

Q Who was responsible for the `Ian Blackwell Stand' banner that was on display all day in front of the old Barnicotts building?
A I think that Stuart Tudball, and a group of lads from Minehead that I coached during the winter were responsible for that, but all of the Somerset fans were right behind us all day, they were just fantastic and helped us to get that result.

Q Rod Marsh was in the crowd today watching your performances with both bat and ball, do you think that he will have been impressed by what he saw?
A I have spoken to both Rod Marsh and Geoff Miller, and I am already on the short list of twenty for the Academy trip to Perth in the winter and my immediate goal is to go out to Australia on that trip. I have worked hard during the winter at my fitness and I think that it is all starting to pay off for me now.

Q What happens next?
A The next step is hopefully to get into the England squad.

Thanks once again for talking to us Ian, and we all wish you every success for the future.

Whilst I know that all Somerset fans would be very sorry to see less of you at Taunton, and would miss your exciting batting, a lot of people that it won't be too long before you get the call up from Duncan Fletcher.

© SOMERSET