Pakistan players a bonus says Australia's Coach Buchanan

At lunchtime on the third day of the match at Taunton, Australia's Coach John Buchanan told me: "The team has received a very good reception in Somerset".

He went on to say: "The people are friendly down here, and the club has provided everything that we have asked for."

Personally he is really enjoying his stay in Taunton, as it is "the first time that I have visited the West Country".

With regard to the inclusion of the two Pakistan players in the Somerset side, he had no objection and said: "From our point of view it has been a bonus to have a Test bowler for our team to bat against." The coach also felt that it would be "a good experience for the Somerset players" to be play alongside the Pakistan Test stars.

Regarding security for the game, which was stepped up in the light of the recent incidents in the NatWest One-Day Internationals, Buchanan said he was "very happy with the security arrangements for the game", and felt that the security was "low key" at the ground.

Asked about the Somerset players, the coach picked out opening bowler Jamie Grove as someone who had impressed him.