Somerset Sabres are in action at The Rec in Bath on Sunday when they take on Leicestershire Foxes, in the first division of the NUL National League, and if the last few one day encounters between the two sides are anything to go by it could well be a close run thing.

Somerset were victorious in all three meetings between the sides last season.

The pair first met in the NUL in mid August at Taunton, when the Sabres won by the narrowest of margins. Chasing 263 the Foxes fell just one run short despite a quick fire 68 from Shahid Afridi, and an unbeaten 58 from former Somerset keeper Neil Burns that almost spoiled the party.

In the return match at Grace Road thirteen days later the Sabres won again this time by 10 runs, thanks to a fine opening stand of 138 from Peter Bowler(77) and Ian Blackwell(75) and then after a menacing innings from opener Afridi(58) the Somerset bowlers got on top to contain the rest of the Foxes batsmen.

The pair met again at Lord's on September 1st in the never to be forgotten Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy Final, which the Cidermen won by 41 runs, to the delight of their loyal and patient supporters who had waited 18 years for some silverware.

This season the Sabres one day form has been shaky, and they will be anxious to reiterate their 2001 victory at Bath against Yorkshire Phoenix when the game was turned by a never to be forgotten one handed catch by Keith Dutch.

From that point on Somerset got their one day campaign on track and never looked back until they won at Lord's almost three months later.

Leicestershire have started their championship season well, and are near the top of the Division One table, but like Somerset their one day form is also unpredictable, so those who make the trip to Bath on Sunday could be in for an entertaining contest.

Somerset have added Steffan Jones to the squad for the game against the Foxes at Bath, and he is expected to play. The Somerset twelve are: Jamie Cox, Matt Wood, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Richard Johnson, Matt Bulbeck, Steffan Jones and Simon Francis.

Coach Kevin Shine told me: "We have got Steffan Jones back for this one, so apart from Caddick and Trescothick we will be at full strength. We won our first one day game this year against Yorkshire Cricket Board after a thoroughly professional performance, and will be looking to repeat this success at Bath on Sunday."

© SOMERSET