Caddick awarded second benefit

Somerset have awarded Andy Caddick a second benefit in 2009, ten years after his first.

Caddick, who turned 40 last month, made his first-team debut in 1991 and in 168 first-class matches he has taken 865 wickets for the county. He also played 62 Tests and 54 ODIs for England.

"It's a real honour to be awarded a benefit," he said. "My focus of attention is now to make sure that I am fully fit and ready to go for the new season.

"My winter training is going right to schedule and I will begin bowling in the New Year. My body is doing well so I feel pretty good about things."

Caddick's appetite for the game remains strong, and he finished the 2007 season as the leading English wicket-taker, but during an injury-plagued 2008 season, in which he finally admitted that his England days were over, he took only 21 wickets.

"Caddy is still going strong and is one of our leading bowlers 10 years after his first benefit," chief executive Richard Gould said. "He has been a wonderful servant to the club and has been a wonderful example to all of the young cricketers who have grown up sharing a dressing-room with him."