With Somerset in the depths of the relegation zone in the county championship and already doomed to Division Two of the NUL National League, the thoughts of their supporters will no doubt be looking for brighter things in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Final against Yorkshire at Lord's on Saturday.

The premier one day cricket competition is the only format of the game where Somerset have been consistent this season, and if they win at Lord's and retain the trophy they won in September last season, 2002 will be deemed to have been a success by many of their fans, irrespective of the fact that next season they could be playing in the second division in both of the others.

Somerset's allocation of tickets for the Lord's showcase final sold out at the County Ground within days of going on sale and were snapped up by supporters much quicker this year than they were in 2001.

Despite their lack of form in the other forms of cricket the Cidermen have produced a match winning performance in each of the previous rounds of the C and G.

Few who were present at Taunton for the semi final against Kent earlier this month are likely to forget how close Somerset were to going out of the 2002 competition and yet still managed to grab a victory from an almost certain defeat.

The question that everyone is now asking is whether or not Marcus Trescothick will be fit to play against Yorkshire.

The Somerset skipper has been having net practice with the rest of the team at Blackpool earlier this week, and from the time that the cast was removed from his broken thumb he has made it quite clear that he wants to return to the big stage at Lord's to captain the side. However no decision will be made regarding the England opener's fitness until just before the start of the match.

Likewise a final decision as to who will make up the Somerset attack alongside Andy Caddick and Richard Johnson will also be left until the morning.

Somerset coach Kevin Shine has taken a squad of fourteen to Lord's, which includes five quick bowlers so it is likely that at least one or even two will miss out on a final spot.

The full squad is: Jamie Cox, Marcus Trescothick, Matt Wood, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Richard Johnson, Matt Bulbeck, Andy Caddick, Steffan Jones and Simon Francis.

The coach told me earlier: "We've played well in the C and G for two seasons so I don't see why we won't perform against Yorkshire. There is plenty of confidence in the side and we are certainly up for it."

Chief executive Peter Anderson told me: "In a season where we have struggled in everything but the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy, as the holders we are looking forward to the Lord's final."

He continued: "The players are confident for the final, and of course they will be heartened by the presence of both Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick, who we are very confident will play."

© SOMERSET