'I'd like to be the leading run scorer in the championship' says Keith Parsons

Keith Parsons, who has played such a major part in Somerset's successful run in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy over the past two years is now back in full training at the County Ground and looking forward to the new season.

When I caught up with him during a break from his practice he told me: "Things are going really well for me at the moment which is very pleasing. After struggling with my knee for much of last season and then having my operation in the autumn it feels good to be back in full training."

"I'm working hard on my batting in the nets and trying to improve my footwork to give myself a little more time. I start bowling again in the next few days and I am hoping that the orthotic insoles that I have started to wear will help me," he told me.

The popular all rounder who will be thirty in May has been a vital part of the Cidermen's success in the premier one day competition, which saw them lift the C and G Trophy in 2001 to break the eighteen year trophy famine.

Last season, despite being relegated in both the County Championship and the National League Parsons was the leading run scorer at the club in one day cricket and his contributions with both bat and ball helped to get the side through to the C and G final at Lord's again, where on the day they were disappointingly beaten by Yorkshire.

What was he hoping for in 2003 I asked. " Obviously for the team we have got to be looking to get promotion and there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to achieve that. Promotion is a new challenge for many of us and on paper we should be good enough to achieve it in both competitions."

He continued: "For myself, in one day cricket I want to continue in the way that I have over the last few seasons where I have done pretty well to help us to win matches. If I look back there haven't been many games where I haven't scored at least 30 or 40 runs and taken wickets. If we win games and I have contributed then I will be happy."

What about the championship I asked. "I suppose last season that I averaged a few less than I would have liked but I still feel confident that I can do a job for Somerset batting at number five, bowling and taking wickets and getting my catches in the slips. Last season I scored most runs in one day cricket so this season I'd like to be the leading run scorer in the four day game," he told me