Despite their disappointing form in the Benson and Hedges cup competition, Somerset coach Kevin Shine was in a confident mood ahead of tomorrows 4 day match against 2001 County Champions Yorkshire at Taunton.

He told me: "Looking at what we achieved in our first championship match against Sussex, who were one of the top sides in division two last year, we have to feel positive about our game against Yorkshire, especially as we will have Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick in our line up."

Reflecting upon the poor form in the Benson's matches the coach told me: "We have had a long and very frank discussion about the situation, and we now have to focus our attention upon our N.U.L. campaign that gets underway when we play Yorkshire Phoenix on Sunday."

Kevin continued: " Nobody likes to lose like that and now we must forget it. We must learn from it and put it behind us, regroup and get on with the next game."

The full squad for the Yorkshire championship game is: Marcus Trescothick (captain) Jamie Cox, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Matthew Bulbeck, Andy Caddick and Simon Francis, with Matt Wood as twelfth man.

What was the situation regarding Steffan Jones I asked the coach. He told me: "Steffan is very very close to being fit to play, but as we have got Andy Caddick in the team we have decided not to risk him tomorrow. However Steffan will play in the NUL game on Sunday."

© SOMERSET