Somerset youngsters preparing for the trip of a lifetime

Fourteen young cricketers from Somerset are busy putting the finishing touches to their packing and preparing themselves for the trip of their young lives.

Somerset Under 13's are gearing themselves up for their tour to South Africa that gets underway in just a few weeks time, that will culminate with them watching the final match of the World Cup.

The Somerset cricketers set off on 14th March and are away for two weeks. Whilst they are out in South Africa the youngsters will be playing in a specially organised tournament in Johannesburg that will involve teams from Namibia, Botswana, St Stithians School, and Barbados.

If they are successful in their early matches, that will include two day-night games, they could well end up playing against other Under 13 teams from England including Cornwall, Worcestershire or Mid Wales who are also taking part in the same tournament.

Under 13 Team manager John Davey, who will be accompanied on the trip by Somerset Youth Development Officer Pete Sanderson and coach Ben Wellington told me: "This is a fanatastic opportunity for the young players, and it will be the trip of a lifetime . There are some highly talented players in the team and as you can imagine they are all looking forward to it."

Mr Davey is appealing for donations towards a bag of cricket kit that he wants to take out to give to those less fortunate youngsters in South Africa.

He told me: "If anybody would like to donate any item of cricket kit or make a financial contribution towards the cost of some kit then it would be much appreciated. Whilst the teams that we are going to play against will all be well kitted out many youngsters out there are less fortunate and would put any kit that we take out to very good use."

Any kit or cash donations can be sent to John Davey at the Centre of Excellence, The County Ground, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JT. (01823 352266)