On the eve of back-to-back NUL matches against Nottingham Outlaws on Sunday and Monday, Somerset's chief executive talked about the latest situation regarding the fitness of his two England players. Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick.

As he looked out across the County Ground this morning he told me: "We are waiting to see how the Caddick side injury reacts to four days of cricket against Hampshire, as are England.

"If he comes through well and England have injury worries he may well play in the Headingley Test match. If that is the case Duncan Fletcher will ask Somerset not to play him in the two NUL games against Nottinghamshire.

"At the moment Andrew Caddick has a slight delivery arm niggle and we are not sure of his reaction to that."

With regard to Marcus Trescothick, Peter Anderson told me: "Somerset are in close contact with the England management regarding his thumb injury. The plaster cast is now off and next week Marcus hopes to pick up a bat and start to hit a few balls for the first time."

He continued: "Somerset accept that he must not come back too early and clearly for England and Marcus himself the Ashes tour is top priority."

The Somerset boss continued: "He himself of course is very keen to make the final, but if there are any risks then the England management will block that, a position that Somerset accept."

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