The New Year has got off to a flying start for Somerset left arm bowler Matt Bulbeck.

Matt, who flew out to Western Australia just before Christmas is spending three months at The Paul Terry Cricket Academy in Perth, where in addition to continuing with his fitness programme he is having individual bowling coaching with former Aussie paceman Bruce Reid.

In his first match of 2002 for a local Perth side Matt returned figures of nineteen overs, four maidens seven for forty five which he was delighted with. One Aussie batsman who faced Matt without a helmet had to go to go to hospital to receive dental treatment after being hit in the face.

All Somerset fans will no doubt be hoping that Matt's comeback trail continues with further success, and that when he returns to England in March he will be challenging for a first team place to give the Cidermen another option in their attack in 2002.

© SOMERSET