At the County Ground this morning Peter Anderson the Somerset chief executive talked about several current issues.

With regard to the second overseas player for 2003 the chief executive told me: "We have been talking to three overseas bowlers and at the moment West Indian Nixon McLean is favourite."

He continued: "However he has been playing for Natal in the winter and the West Indies have had a rule which has been that if players didn't play in the Red Stripe competition they couldn't play for their country. This has now been rescinded and if he plays well for Natal he could be picked for the West Indies. We expect to confirm the situation next month."

Regarding the issue of captaincy the chief told me that Mike Burns, who was the only Ciderman to score 1000 runs in the championship this season was the likely replacement for Jamie Cox for 2003, but this would not be confirmed until early October.

With regard to the reported resignation of Phil Frost, Mr Anderson told me: "Verbally he has told me that he is leaving, but he has not confirmed this in writing so at present he still remains the head groundsman at the County Ground."

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