Former favourite pays tribute to Somerset 2001

Former Somerset favourite Dennis Breakwell, who was a member the cup winning Somerset team of the late 1970's and early 80's told me, "The Glory Years are back at Taunton, and the ghost has been laid to rest."

He went on, "Well done to everybody who is involved at the club from Chief Executive Peter Anderson to Head Groundsman Phil Frost, everyone has played their part in the success story."

Dennis said he felt that, "The club has lived in the shadow of the team that I played in for too long, but now the team for the new millennium has arrived and they are a fine side. I'm just so pleased for them, they thoroughly deserve it." How did they compare to that side of twenty or so years ago I asked. "The 2001 side would compete well with our side in the batting, Now we bat right down the order. How many number sevens have scored back to back hundreds like Ian Blackwell did against Northants?"

Regarding the bowling he said, "If you put Joel Garner into the attack then that would also compare well. Joel was the person who would knock the first few over which won the games for us."

At the start of the season Dennis said he felt that "The selection looked a little starnge, but halfway through when both Dutchy and Blackwell played the side looked well balanced even without Caddick and Trescothick."

Dennis also paid tribute to Keith Dutch who had "Proved himself to be a good signing and gave a buzz to the side," and went on,"look at what he did in the semi final- I was glued to the television."

What about next season I asked, "I hope that they keep going the way that they are and win some more trophies.They are a cohesive unit and very close as a side as we were. We all seemed to be mates."

Before leaving me to return to his coaching duties at Kings College in Taunton Dennis concluded with a message for the 2001 cup winning side, "No we were not better than you are. Good on you and go on and win some more," and concluded "They were brilliant!"