Somerset left arm bowler Matt Bulbeck played his first match of the year on his comeback trail to regaining a first team place in 2002.

Matt, who has been sadly missing from the Somerset scene over the last couple of seasons because of a back injury, made his first appearance for a club side in Perth in Western Australia.

The twenty two year old who burst onto the first class scene in 1998 flew out to Perth just a few days before Christmas to spend three months at the Paul Terry Academy.

Since being in the Southern Hemisphere Matt has linked up with Somerset batsman Piran Holloway who is spending time in Perth getting over a shoulder injury. Matt has recently been joined by fellow Somerset bowler Joe Tucker, who is also attending the Paul Terry Academy.

Matt spent the three months leading up to his departure working hard to get back to full fitness at the Academy Fitness Centre at The County Ground under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Andy Hurry.

Whilst he is out in Perth, Matt will continue working on his fitness and strength building exercises, and will also receive individual coaching from former Aussie Test bowler Bruce Reid.

With the departure of Jason Kerr to Derbyshire, and the absence of Andy Caddick and possibly Richard Johnson on England duty Matt Bulbeck's presence could well be a crucial factor in the Cidermen's team for 2002.

© SOMERSET