Caddick signs new Somerset contract

Andrew Caddick, the former England seamer, has agreed a new one-year contract with Somerset.

Caddick, 39, has spent most of the season recovering from back surgery but has now returned to full fitness and, although in the autumn of his career, is keen to play a part for Somerset in 2009.

"Recovering from back surgery took longer than I thought, although my surgeon tells me he has never known anyone get over that operation as quickly," he told the club's website. "There are still times when my body complains at what I am asking it to do but, when everything is right, my pace is still there and I will only get better with more games.

"It would be nice to help groom whoever will eventually replace me in the team but for the moment all my efforts will be going into continuing to take wickets for Somerset. I want to help Somerset win the Championship for the first time and that could happen in the next five or six weeks."

Brian Rose, the club's director of cricket, added that Caddick was "vital to the continued development of the side" and, with Keith Parsons retiring this week, he becomes Somerset's longest-serving member.