The indoor net session at the Centre of Excellence earlier this week was the last one of the winter before the senior players all report back for pre season training on Monday March 18th.

Once again there was an almost full house and the numbers were this week increased by the presence of Rob Turner and Keith Parson's who have just recently returned from a tour to New Zealand, as part of Rob's benefit, to watch the One-Day Internationals.

Rob spent part of the evening keeping wicket in the slow bowlers net, whilst Keith showed that he was almost back to full fitness as he batted against the bowling machine which was being fed with tennis balls.

One of the features of the net sessions this winter has been the involvement of a number of the youngsters from the Somerset and the E.C.B. Regional Academy.

Certainly of those young players who were on show on Tuesday evening Luke Stokes from Millfield, and Cornishmen Neil Edwards and leg break bowler Michael Munday gave a good account of themselves.

Assistant Coach Mark Garaway told me, "It was an exceptional session for everybody, particularly with some of the different practices that we have introduced."

Coach Kevin Shine added, "The feed back that we have had from everybody about the sessions has been very positive. Most players work within their comfort zone, but we have tried to set challenges by bringing in new activities."

He continued, "We are lucky with the guys that we have, they are willing to open their eyes. They've all got their performance diaries and are working constantly out of their comfort zone, but if they don't want to do it they won't."

When the players report back on March 18th without a doubt they will be as fit and strong as they ever have been which will stand them in good stead for the season that lies ahead.

© SOMERSET