Stumpy, the new Somerset mascot, has an apology to make to all of those folk who turned out at Bath on Sunday especially to meet him. Sadly he has been feeling under the weather and has been confined to his new home near Taunton.

Happily he is now feeling back on top of the world and is planning to make an appearance at the 1 day match at the County Ground on Friday when Somerset entertain Sri Lanka.

Talking through his interpreter Joanne Betsworth, who seems to enjoy a close affinity with Stumpy, he told me: "I'm so sorry that I had to let everybody down on Sunday, but I just couldn't face the long journey the way that I was feeling. However I will be there on Friday and will be looking forward to meeting everybody both young and old at the ground so please do come and say hello."

I'm sure that everybody will overlook his absence on Sunday, and will look forward to seeing him on Friday during the match against Sri Lanka.

© SOMERSET