Somerset looking forward to big match at Taunton tomorrow

Somerset stage their biggest match of the season so far when they take on county champions Surrey in the fourth round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at the County Ground in Taunton tomorrow.

Whilst the Cidermen have won three out of their four championship matches and are currently top of Division Two their one-day form has been disappointing, and they have been successful in just one of their five National League starts.

However they won their C and G third round tie against Scotland by an overwhelming margin, and have every intention of returning to Lords for the final at the end of August so Surrey will be aware that their trip to the west country will be anything but easy.

On the contrary the last time that the two sides met in the competition four years ago at the semi final stage it was the Cidermen who had the last laugh thanks to a fine 114 from Jamie Cox that won him the `Man of the Match' award and a miserly 4 for 43 in his ten over spell from all rounder Keith Parsons.

1999 was Cox's first season with Somerset, but the Tasmanian told me that the cricketing giants from the south east who are table topping in the top flight of both the county championship and the National Cricket League hold no fear for him.

"During the time that I have been with the county Surrey have never beaten us in a one day cricket match so we have every reason to feel confident going into tomorrow's game. There's nothing I would like more than to be in the final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at the end of this season. It's every cricketer's dream to walk out at Lord's in front of a full house, " he said.

Tickets for tomorrow's big match have been going well and the county are expecting a large crowd, but they will be available on the gate, however the advice is to get to the ground in plenty of time to avoid disappointment.

The match is being televised and because of this no parking will be available on the ground. However alternative parking arrangements have been made in Victoria Park, which is only a five minute walk from the County Ground, and will be well signposted.

Chief executive Peter Anderson said: "This is a huge match for us and we are hoping that all of our followers across the south west will turn out in numbers to support us. To win the C and G again is one of our two objectives this season, but first of all have to beat Surrey who will be fielding a side packed with international cricketers so this will be a game that nobody will want to miss."