In the face of speculation regarding the future of Andy Caddick, Somerset have said that they would like the paceman to remain with the club for the rest of his playing career.

Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me: "I have sat down with Andy Caddick to discuss his future with the club. A lot depends on his international future, and whilst Andy thinks that after the World Cup in 2003 England might look to other fast bowlers, my advice was to keep his ambitions high and seek to play for England well beyond the World Cup.He is a key bowler for England."

Andy, who was born in New Zealand to English parents first came to England in the late 1980's and initially played club cricket for Hampstead in London, before being tempted to look west and sign for Somerset, after which he played for Clevedon during his four year qualifying period. He made his county debut in 1991 and first played for England in 1993.

Since then he has become the main strike bowler for the Cidermen and took 105 first class wickets in 1998.However with the advent of central contracts his appearances for the county have been limited to a handful of matches a season, but when he has appeared he has made all the difference.

The chief concluded: "From a Somerset perspective we would hope that we would have his services until the end of his career. Andy has always said that he is grateful to the club for giving him his chance in first class cricket. He lives in Somerset, which he likes and both of his children were born in the county, and he wants to end his career here."

© SOMERSET