Somerset's four Middlesex old boys are happy in their new surroundings

When Kevin Shine was signed by Somerset from Middlesex in 1996 he cannot possibly have imagined that seven years later he would be the county coach and that several more of his old counties former players would be on the staff at the County Ground, but that is exactly what has happened.

The coach told me: "When Bob Cottam signed me I was down and out as a cricketer. He resurrected my playing career for a while but in the end I had to retire through injury."

He continued: "Since moving down to Somerset I have got married to Bethan and we have bought a house where we are settled. Now we have got two boys, Jack and Thomas, and are happy to see them growing up in the area."

The next two former Middlesex players to decamp to Taunton were all rounder Keith Dutch and opening bowler Richard Johnson who joined Somerset for the start of the 2001 season.

Both made an immediate impact on the cricket scene, and both players have also enjoyed their new surroundings and have settled into life in the `west country.'

`Dutchy' and his wife Emma have bought a house locally and have two children, Lauren and baby Thomas who was born just a few weeks ago. He told me: " This is a lovely part of the world and a good place for the children to grow up in. Somerset has also got a very good club set up which I enjoy."

Paceman Richard Johnson has spent the winter in England for the first time for many years and in October will be getting married to his girl friend Nikki Lock. He told me: "I enjoy living locally and everything is so handy. Everyone is so friendly and I can get to and from the ground easily which is very different from when I lived in Sunbury. The club has also got a very good set up, and joining Somerset has certainly helped me to further my career."

`Johnno' told me that he has just bought a house and that his girl friend Nikki, had just set up her own business as a Personal Home Planning Agent, helping busy people to deal with the buying their house.

The final member of the quartet of Middlesex old boys is all rounder Aaron Laraman, who chose to join Somerset despite the fact that his former county were promoted to Division One in the championship at the end of last season.

The twenty four year old told me: "I'm enjoying living down here and have just bought a house in the area. There is a good set up at the club, and everything is much more convenient down here - there are no traffic jams!"