Somerset fast bowler Richard Johnson was returning to the County Ground this morning after a hard six mile training session on his new bicycle.

'Johnno' told me: "My training is going very well this year and so far I'm feeling pretty good about things. This winter we have changed things round a bit and we have introduced swimming and cycling into my weekly routines, which I am enjoying. I usually cycle two or three times, swim twice and work in the gym three times each week."

In addition to working at his fitness levels the former Middlesex man told me that he was also working hard at his cricket skills. He told me: "At the moment both Matt Bulbeck and myself are working at improving our batting and next season we might even both become all rounders!"

This closed season 'Johnno' is staying in Taunton. He continued: "I'm going to stay local this winter rather than go away. It will be the first time that I haven't gone away for the winter for ten years."

Regarding the Cidermen's new signings 'Johnno' told me: "These are both exciting signings. Nixon McLean is a Test match cricketer. He has been bowling well in South Africa and will certainly challenge me for six hitting."

He went on: "Aaron Laraman is a very good young cricketer and I rated him highly when I was at Middlesex. He is an exciting player who can bat and bowl and is coming to Taunton to develop his career like I did because the set up here and the attitude is very encouraging. If you are prepared to work then you will get full support from Kevin Shine and his team."

'Johnno' continued: "It is just so different down here. For one thing it's more cosy and you can get into the ground easily from wherever you live. In London it could sometimes take nearly two hours each way. Down here all the players live locally and comes into the gym everyday which means that you see everybody regularly."

© SOMERSET