Ponting and Dravid lined up by Somerset

After a disappointingly lacklustre season, Somerset are already plotting their bid for a return to the first division of the County Championship. Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid are both being earmarked as possible overseas players in 2004.

"Somerset are talking with Dravid and Ponting with a view to them joining the county for 2004," said Peter Anderson, Somerset's chief executive. Two batsmen of the highest class are precisely what Somerset need at the moment - several of their first-team players were threatened with the sack earlier in the season, after a terrible run of results.

One of those was the England one-day allrounder, Ian Blackwell. But he is once again the flavour of the month after a stunning 247 not out in Somerset's latest championship victory, over Derbyshire, and Anderson is keen for him to stay at Taunton.

"Ian still has one more year of his contract to run," said Anderson. "He is very happy here, and we are currently in negotiation to extend his contract."