Championship promotion and the C and G are priorities says Somerset boss

After seeing his side enjoy two victories over the weekend, Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson was feeling in a buoyant mood at Taunton on Monday morning.

He told me: "Our equal priorities this year are to gain promotion back to the top division of the county championship and to win the Cheltenham and Gloucester trophy, and Marcus Trescothick will definitely play in the tie against Surrey when we shall field our strongest team."

He continued: "Some members questioned why we rested McLean and Johnson for Sunday's game, but we need to make sure that they are kept fully fit for the championship matches. In fact both of them played in the Glamorgan game when they were carrying injuries, McLean a hamstring and Johnson a groin niggle. Aaron Laraman also missed the NCL game with a side strain which was a great disappointment to him after he did so well in the match against Glamorgan."

The Somerset boss went on: "As with everything here at the club there is an immense amount of interest in the new players, but in my opinion people have criticised them too early, whereas the time for that is at the end of the season if it is warranted. At this time it is far better to praise the players to bolster their confidence."

Looking ahead to next week he said: "We have got a very important cup match against Surrey here at Taunton next Wednesday, and with the number of international stars that they have in their side we need to be sure that we have all of our big guns fit and raring to go, which may be reflected in the team that plays down at Hampshire this week."

The demand for tickets for the Surrey C and G match are increasing daily and on Monday morning at the County Ground the postbag was bulging and the phone lines were busy from nine o'clock onwards. The advice to those who haven't got their ticket yet is to buy in advance to avoid disappointment and get to the ground early.

Meanwhile Somerset Seconds travelled to Bristol today to play against their Gloucestershire counterparts.

After a delayed start it was agreed to play a limited overs game, and in the forty overs that were possible the hosts scored 178 for 8, before the rain came down again to prevent any further play.

Wes Durston was the pick of the Somerset bowlers taking 3 for 28 whilst Damian Shirazi who is currently on the Hampshire Academy took 2 for 40.

The two sides will meet again tomorrow in Bristol in a fifty over game weather permitting.