Blackwell and McLean make it four current Somerset players at the World Cup

Four current Somerset players will be taking part in the Cricket World Cup that gets underway in South Africa next month, whilst another two former players have enjoyed mixed fortunes.

As expected Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick were named in the England squad of fifteen and they will be joined by all rounder Ian Blackwell.

New boy Blackwell has made quite an impression in the VB One Day International triangular tournament that is currently taking place in Australia with a number of valuable contributions with both bat and ball.

Whilst `Blackie's' inclusion in the squad for the World Cup was not unexpected, it is worth remembering that just twelve months ago he was spending the winter working in the office at the County Ground in Taunton.

Just after the Christmas break last year the former Derbyshire all rounder decided to work hard on his fitness levels and change his dietary regime, which he found hard work, so he will be absolutely delighted to have made it into the squad because that was his target.

Nixon McLean, one of Somerset's trio of new signings for 2003 will also be taking part in the Cricket World Cup. The twenty nine year old paceman who played the last of his 44 One Day Internationals in 2001 has been playing cricket for Natal where he has been enjoying some good returns.

Roland Lefebvre, who played for Somerset back in the early 1990's before moving onto Glamorgan will also be out in South Africa. The talented all rounder, who will be forty in early February has just been named as captain of the Dutch team for the tournament.

However, Steve Waugh another Somerset old boy was not so fortunate, and will no doubt be disappointed to have missed out on a place in the Australian squad.