Rob Turner hoping that Mushtaq Ahmed will support his benefit tournament

Somerset wicket-keeper Rob Turner is hoping that Pakistan Test star Mushtaq Ahmed will be able to support his benefit year by playing in the six a side tournament that is scheduled to take place at the County Ground in Taunton on September 9th.

When I spoke to Rob earlier today he told me: "When I spoke to 'Mushy' earlier in the summer he agreed to come down and play in one of the teams for me. Even though he is now playing with Surrey I am hoping that he will still be able to make it."

The Somerset keeper made his debut for the county in 1991, but it was in 1993 that he started to play for the first team on a regular basis, the same season that Mushtaq made his debut for the county.

The popular Somerset wicket-keeper told me: "At first it was frightening to keep to 'Mushy' because I hadn't got a clue where the ball was going to go, nor had he some of the time, but in the end I got more used to it and started to be able to read it. I got to know him quite well whilst he was with Somerset and we formed a good partnership."

Rob Turner is hoping to raise eight sides for September 9th, and each team will consist of five amateurs and one Somerset player. Anybody who is interested in raising a team should contact the beneficiary at the County Ground on 01823 272946.

On September 20th at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston super Mare, David English will be hosting 'An Evening with Phil Tufnell and Dermot Reeve' some of the proceeds of which will also go to Rob Turner's Benefit.

Tickets for the evening that promises to be very entertaining, are available from the theatre box office (01934 645544) priced £12, and £10 for concessions.