Graham Rose, the Somerset all rounder who retired from the first class game at the end of the 2002 season was recently presented with a silver salver to mark his contribution to the game.

Rose, who is the last remaining player of a group of four who joined the club in 1987 after the departure of the `big three', has made a significant contribution during his years at the County Ground Taunton.

The tall all rounder quickly became a firm favourite with Somerset fans and over the years has delighted them with his performances with both bat and ball.

Many feel that he was unlucky not to receive international recognition after enjoying considerable success in the 1997 season after which he was named as the Cricket Society's All –rounder of the Year.

In 1997 he topped both the Somerset batting and bowling figures by scoring 848 runs at an average of 53, that included his career best of 191 against Sussex and took 62 wickets at a cost of just over 24 runs each.

Over the last couple of seasons he spent most of his time playing for Somerset Second's where he was a shining example of what a professional cricket player should be, but when he was called into the first team he showed that he was still a capable player.

The silver salver that was presented to Graham Rose by chief executive Peter Anderson was inscribed with the player's first class career record during the Tony Coles Trust Christmas Lunch that was held in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion.

The chief executive told me: "It is an honour for the club to be able to mark the retirement of a very fine cricketer with the presentation of this silver salver. Over the years Graham has shown himself to be a good all round professional and the club wish both him and his family well in their future lives."

© SOMERSET