The Somerset cricketers travelled to Canterbury today ahead of their championship match against Kent that gets underway at the St Lawrence Ground tomorrow.

The two sides last met just six days ago, but that was in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy semi final at Taunton, and on that occasion it was the Cidermen who were victorious.

This is the first championship meeting this season, and both sides will be looking for a result for different reasons.

Kent are riding high in division one of the four day competition, and need maximum points to keep them in touch with run away leaders Surrey.

The Cidermen on the other hand currently find themselves in the relegation zone, and need a good tally of points to help them to climb to safety.

When the two sides met at Canterbury last season the match ended in a draw, after Somerset lost the services of Richard Johnson on the first morning of the match when he was called up as a late standby for the England team.

Whether or not Andy Caddick and Richard Johnson play at Canterbury tomorrow will depend upon a series of fitness tests that they have undergone over the last few days.

Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "Johnson and Caddick are unlikely to play in the match at Canterbury. We have to be careful that we don't go into the match with two under par bowlers, and their fitness for the match is at best touch and go."

© SOMERSET