Somerset all rounder Mike Burns is back in full training after undergoing an operation to rectify an ankle injury earlier in the New Year.

The thirty two year old who joined Somerset from Warwickshire in 1997 enjoyed his best ever year in 2001, and played a major part in the county's most successful season.

At the indoor nets in the week Mike was showing that he has lost none of his batting ability and was striking the ball in the same way that earned him nearly nine hundred championship runs last season including a double century at Bath, which is still being talked about by those who were present.

Head of injury prevention Darren Veness, who has been working closely with the player told me: "Burns is back with the bat in the nets for the first time since his ankle injury. He looked comfortable and next week he will be able to bowl flat out as well."

Mike Burns told me: "The ankle feels pretty good, and next week I'll be back to bowling at full pace. I was batting with a new Gunn and Moore bat and it is a real belter.I've used their bats for nine years and now they're available from Boundary Sports at the County Ground. Several of the others use Gunn and Moore as well."

The following morning Mike Burns was back at the County Ground, and after a session at the Indoor School was being put through his paces on the new weights that have been set up in a separate area , away from the Academy Fitness Centre.

Daren Veness told me, "Mike is a natural athlete and incredibly fit.He's a great example for the youngsters to follow. It's good for them to see someone who is a number of years older than them working as hard as he does at training."

© SOMERSET