Anderson defends the use of two overseas players in county cricket and warns against mergers

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson has reacted strongly to the Professional Cricketer's Association attitude to county clubs using two overseas players.

"I am amazed by their reaction on two counts. Firstly what has it got to do with them who we employ, and secondly is it any wonder that the England side falter when the going gets tough if the county pros don't want to play against the best and at a higher standard that the two overseas players will provide. Job protection has no place in professional sport."

Mr Anderson also offered words of caution to comments made by Glamorgan coach John Derrick about the possible link up with other county teams in the west.

He told me: "As everybody knows various factions within the ECB and the media would love to see the abolition of the eighteen county system and replace it with regional cricket. Somerset has always resisted such a move pointing out that there would be no support for regional cricket. "

He continued: "What John Derrick has to be careful of in suggesting a merger with Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and ourselves is that he is not being used by those dedicated to tearing down and obliterating county cricket in Somerset."

He concluded with a stern warning to anyone who tries to interfere: "The club and it's members will fight to the death to preserve its own identity and independence."