Jamie Cox, who will be coming back to Somerset for his fifth and final season in 2003 is enjoying a hectic winter back home in Tasmania, and playing a lot of cricket.

When I contacted him he told me: "I have been pretty busy recently and played cricket in all six states during the past four weeks."

Tasmania are enjoying a good run of results and are currently lying in second place in the table, and Jamie has made a number of useful contributions towards the teams success.

He continued: "I am yet to see either Andy Caddick or Marcus Trescothick but have spoken to Marcus. It was a little while ago and at the time he was 60 odd not out overnight in the Brisbane Test! Obviously a lot has happened since then and I doubt if he is as upbeat now that the Ashes are gone."

Regarding the Ashes series Jamie told me: "The press has been harsh on the English here but mainly from a disappointment angle - I think everyone was expecting a more competitive series and are disappointed that it is already effectively over. There is no sympathy for injuries, with the exception of Simon Jones but much criticism for bringing out injured players."

The former Somerset skipper has however been in touch with Ian Blackwell. He told me: "I caught up with `Blackie' in Adelaide last week and he looked great and felt like the Academy was doing him plenty of good. He was looking forward to joining the squad for the one-dayers."

With regard to his personal circumstances he told me: "My own family is progressing wonderfully well. Lachlan turned one year old last week and Helen is still growing rapidly, due with our second baby on the 17th January."

© SOMERSET