The Recreation Ground at Bath is all set for the opening day of this year's cricket festival when near neighbours Hampshire provide the opposition in the county championship.

The tents are in position, on the opposite side of the ground this year, and there has been good support from the business community so most are fullybooked. Although the ground is wet, providing that the weather is kind everything is set fair to hopefully get play underway on time.

As always an immense amount of hard work has gone on throughout the winter to prepare for the event, and all credit must go to Bath Area Committee Chairman Robert Appleyard and his hard working band of helpers who will be hoping that this year's Bath Festival is even more of a success than it was in 2001.

Looking ahead to Wednesday's game this morning at the County Ground, Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "I have been really happy with the way that we have performed in the county championship so far this season, and we will be looking to continue with this at Bath. The rain has affected three out of our four games, when we have been in a strong position, so we will be hoping for some good weather over the next few days."

With Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick back on England duty, Matt Wood and Simon Francis are recalled to the team, and fast bowler Richard Johnson also returns after missing the last few weeks through injury. Steffan Jones however is still missing, but is likely to return to the side for the NUL game against Leicester foxes on Sunday.

The full Somerset squad is: Matt Wood, Jamie Cox, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parson, Ian Blackell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Richard Johnson, Matt Bulbeck and Simon Francis, with Steve Davis from the Academy performing the twelfth man duties.

© SOMERSET