Within a few hours of securing a series win against Sri Lanka for his country, Marcus Trescothick was back at the County Ground preparing to lead Somerset in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy fourth round tie against Hampshire at Taunton tomorrow.

At the same stage of the competition last year Marcus scored a devastating 121 against Glamorgan, including a century from 69 balls, and will doubtless be looking to lead from the front again tomorrow.

Looking ahead to the match he told me: "I'm very excited about it, after all it's the first chance that we have had to defend the trophy, and of course we will be going out to try to retain it this season."

He continued: "We need to build upon our first NUL win on Sunday a get a roll going. We have been slowly moving forward and are getting better all the time. Now we need to keep it going."

Marcus will lead a Somerset side that will be without Andy Caddick, who is suffering from a side strain, but batsman Jamie Cox could also be missing.

The Tasmanian missed the NUL game at Bath on Sunday after taking a blow to his hand during the Hampshire game, and did not bat in the nets this morning.

Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "Jamie will have a late fitness test in the morning before we make a final decision. Of course we hope that he will be able to play, but if he doesn't then Matt Wood will take his place."

Kevin added: "Even without Andy and Jamie I think that we have got a good side, and we pulled off a great win on Sunday which has done us all a lot of good."

The full Somerset squad for the Hampshire match is: Marcus Trescothick, Peter Bowler, Jamie Cox, Mike Burns, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Richard Johnson, Steffan Jones, Matt Bulbeck and Matt Wood.

Certainly the players were in buoyant mood ahead of the tie. Peter Bowler told me: "Of course I'm looking forward to it, and we are well equipped to beat them. We are a good side and are going into this game on the back of two one day victories."

Fast bowler Richard Johnson who enjoyed match figures of 10 for 75 against Hampshire at Bath last week told me: "I'm looking forward to a good victory tomorrow."

Play gets underway at the County Ground tomorrow at 10.45am, and tickets will be on sale at the gate priced £10 and £7.

© SOMERSET