'We are going to Bath feeling confident' says Mike Burns

Somerset face a tough start to the Bath Festival when they entertain Worcestershire in the county championship tomorrow morning.

Currently the Cidermen are at the top of Division Two and on track for a quick return to the top flight. However the `Black Pear' county are on a good run at the moment having beaten C and G holders Yorkshire last week, which they followed up with a championship victory over Derbyshire to put them in third spot just eleven points behind their hosts.

Looking forward to the game Somerset captain Mike Burns told me: "We have named a strong side for the game and we are on a bit of a roll in the county championship at the moment. Worcester are also playing well and we are two of the best teams in the second division, but we are going to Bath feeling confident."

With Andy Caddick injured and Richard Johnson and Marcus Trescothick called up for England duty the Somerset attack will be led by Nixon McLean who is the country's leading wicket taker, and Simon Francis who gave a good account of himself down at the Hampshire Rosebowl.

Peter Bowler is also missing from the line up because he is taking his final law examinations, so Piran Holloway is drafted in after a number of good displays for the seconds and will open the innings with Matt Wood. All rounder Keith Parsons also makes his first championship appearance of the season.

Regarding the team the skipper said: "The team might look a bit batting heavy but against the Worcestershire attack on the Bath wicket that might not be a bad idea."

The full Somerset team is - Piran Holloway, Matt Wood, James Bryant, Jamie Cox, Mike Burns, Ian Blackwell, Keith Parsons, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Nixon McLean and Simon Francis.

Coach Kevin Shine said: "This is an important game for us and we are going up to Bath to win. We have named our strongest available side to face a team who are just eleven points behind us in the table."

On the eve of the Bath Festival chief executive Peter Anderson said: "As usual the Bath Area Committee have worked hard in setting up the arena and attracting sponsors. However sponsorship has been difficult this year and is actually down on 2002 so we are appealing to the locals to come along and watch the matches to hopefully make up for this. If the people of Bath want a cricket festival then they must support it."