Mike Burns likely to be named as new Somerser skipper

Jamie Cox returned home earlier this week leaving behind his most disappointing season as captain of Somerset since he joined the club back in 1999 at the end of which the Cidermen were relegated to division two in both the County Championship and the NUL National League.

The thirty two year old Tasmanian had a poor season with the bat by his own high standards and also suffered a broken thumb at Bath in June which caused him to miss several matches in mid season, and from which he never fully recovered.

Within a short while of his return from England Jamie will be back in training with his Tasmanian team mates in preparation for the Australian season during which he is hoping to regain his form.

Jamie will be returning to Somerset next season, but not as captain which he hopes will enable him to concentrate upon his batting in 2003.

The replacement for Jamie Cox is highly likely to be all rounder Mike Burns, who joined Somerset from Warwickshire in 1997, since when he has become a very popular member of the team both with the players and with the spectators at Taunton.

The all rounder was the only player in 2002 to score 1000 runs in the county championship, and was dismissed in the nineties on four occasions. He also chipped in with some useful wickets in the four day game and a number of good all round performances in the one day competitions.

This morning Mike was at the County Ground along with his two year old son Adam where he talked about his plans for the coming winter. He told me: "I am going to work towards getting my Level 3 coaching award this winter and then I want to get involved working with some of the young players at the Cricket Academy here at the ground."

He continued: "I'm also going to play a bit of golf and next week I am playing in the Professional Cricketer's Association competition at the Belfry with the same pin placements as the Ryder Cup, which should be a challenge, and of course I will be spending time with my family."

Mike Burn's appointment as Somerset captain for 2003 is expected to be confirmed at a committee meeting early next month.