Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson has once again responded strongly to reported comments made by the England boss Duncan Fletcher regarding the fitness of players who have recently joined the squad out in New Zealand.

Sitting in his office overlooking the County Ground he told me: "England have done well under Duncan Fletcher, but he has to ask himself some serious questions if what he alleges about the unfitness of Ormond, Afzaal and Ramprakash is true. It is absolutely no good giving centrally-contracted players winter fitness schedules without a person being appointed to supervise that player.

"For example, did he liaise with the relevant county coaches and ask them to supervise the players? If not, why not? Did he liaise with the county coaches regarding the technical aspects of the players? If not, why not? Did he have contact with the county coaches about the future international careers of those players? If not, why not?

"Of course Somerset, like all other counties, want England to do well, but we also have the desire to do well ourselves. We recognise that our playing needs may be compromised, but it helps if good management is in place to help to ensure that the hopes and aspirations of the counties are taken into consideration by the England management team."

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