Mark Garaway, the Somerset Assistant Coach who is also the Director of the South West Regional Academy told me recently: "The time since I joined the club at the end of October has just flown by."

28-year-old Mark, who played for Hampshire as a wicket-keeper batsman before becoming their Cricket Development Officer continued, "This has been a good situation for me to come into, and since I joined the club things have moved on.

"One of the major developments has been the improved relationships with Millfield School at Street where we have linked up with Richard Ellison and Mark Davis. Part of the ECB Regional Academy group go up to Millfield once a week, and the match against UCCCE XI on April 13th is now being played there. In addition we have arranged a match between Millfield School and Somerset Second Eleven."

Since Mark joined the club he has seen the introduction of a lot of new computerised technology equipment at all levels, which will improve players' performances.

"Everything is becoming much more scientific now. Even the younger age group players are starting to identify their problems to work on," Mark said. "When we start playing we will hopefully see the results."

Mark has bought a house just outside Taunton where he hopes to be living before the start of the season. "It's worked out well for me, and I'm pretty excited by things here at Somerset," he said.

© SOMERSET