Somerset scorer Gerry Stickley is on the move again. Last season he relocated to the media centre which is housed in the Ian Botham Pavilion, one of the main reasons being that he could work alongside Chris Bass who operates the digital scoreboards and the moving message board at the County Ground.

This season however he is moving back to the old scorers position, which is situated next door to the Old Pavilion beside the press box.

"I'm moving back to the old scorebox because I need a better view to enable me to do the extra input for each delivery that is bowled," Gerry told me.

"I need to be looking down the pitch as often as I can because for each delivery I have to enter a lot more detail on my computer. I have to enter what type of ball it was, and what type of shot was played, where the ball went, who fielded it and how many runs were scored."

The additional information that Gerry inputs will be used by PA to provide an additional online service to cricket followers during the summer.

However not every scorer is undertaking the extra duties. In some of the first-class counties an additional person will be working in the scorebox to input the information.

"In preparation for the new season earlier on in February we went up to PA in Leeds to for training. A lot more information is going to be required from us for each ball that is bowled in 2002," Gerry explained.

The county have just been informed that Somerset Rapid Cricketline which has been used by cricket followers for several years has ceased to operate, and Rapid Cricketline are pulling out of all county cricket services.

No doubt the new service that Gerry Stickley will be providing will be of great interest to the many thousands who follow the Cidermen from a distance.

© SOMERSET