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Ramesh in the runs

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When Sadagopan Ramesh square-drove Jacob Oram to the fence early on the second day, it was a shot that released two years of frustration. Despite averaging nearly 38 from 19 Test matches, he was banished to the cricketing wilderness by a selection committee that believed he did not have the technique or the stomach to face quality fast bowling. At Rajkot, on a wicket that had decent carry and bounce, he showed that he had the ability to make runs. At the end of the day, the five wise men that make up the selection panel must swallow all talk and recognise the fact that there is nothing more important than the ability to put runs on the board.In a near chanceless display – he was dropped by Scott Styris off Daniel Vettori when on 96 – Ramesh proved that the he had in it in him to score runs when it mattered the most. Over the last two Ranji seasons, he has made just one first-class century, against Kerala, but he is the first one to admit that big games do the trick for him. “Probably the motivation factor is much higher in a big game. The stakes are higher in a big game and I have never thought of the consequences,” he said. ‘What if I fail?’ – that question never came into my mind. Maybe that clicks for me in the big games.”There was more than one occasion during the day when Ramesh played and missed. With Daryl Tuffey bowling well from one end, Ramesh flirted with danger, proffering half-hearted strokes at some deliveries that were best left alone. But any batsman worth his salt will tell you that this is bound to happen when you spend four-and-a-half hours at the crease to make 110 from 206 balls. But then, people who have watched Ramesh over a period of time will tell you his biggest strength is his ability to put the odd setback behind him. He does not mull over nicks that could have been. He merely gets on with what he knows best – driving the ball when it is pitched up. On the day, 19 boundaries came off his blade, and no one but the cruellest man would suggest that he got more than his fair share of luck.Showing the full face of his Woodworm Wand he drove magnificently down the ground, both past mid-off and mid-on. Occasionally, when the bowling flagged, he unveiled the cut, a shot he had shelved sometime ago because the percentages did not work out. The hook shot, a rarity in modern Indian batting, was also on display, and reached the fence unerringly, even if it kept the outfielders interested every now and then.More than any of these strokes, though, it was the runs on the board that brought a wide grin to Ramesh’s face. “I would not say I am relieved because I could have added another 40 or 50 runs. It’s just that I have been waiting for this opportunity for so long. I am happy that I was able to grab the opportunity." On Saturday, the selectors pick the squad to play the first Test against New Zealand at Ahmedabad, and they were present in full strength to watch the innings. In that sense, the timing of this innings could not have been better. But Ramesh is not one to hang onto these sorts of thread. He refused to be drawn out when asked if he had done enough to make it back to the Test team. “I will come to the ground tomorrow,” he said, almost as though nothing had happened. “I take the day as it comes. If I see my name in the reckoning or in the team, I will be very happy about it but otherwise I am not the sort to dream about all these things.”Dream or not, Ramesh clarified several points that were raised against him. At several moments in the day, he did not get much of the strike or was bogged down by spells of good bowling. But he did not throw it away. On 30, 44 and then finally 84, he was stuck, unable to get the runs flowing. He took half an hour to get to his 85th run. And then, of course, the three-figure mark loomed. “Every batsman becomes conscious of the three-figure mark once he crosses 80,” conceded Ramesh. “I know there is a big difference between 99 and 100. I have gone through that. So I wanted to get to the three-figure mark today.”Finally, despite putting a strong hundred on the board, there was carping about the manner in which he was dismissed – and replays showed clearly that the ball missed bat and went off shoulder – and his footwork. Laid-back as ever, Ramesh pooh-poohed such doubts. “I have got to the three-figure mark, so don’t start that talk again,” he said, breaking out in a wide grin. “I have tightened up my game a bit more. But it’s for the people to judge, not for me to talk about. After all, they are only watching me, I can’t watch myself bat.”Jacob Oram, another left-hander to make a century on the day, was full of praise for the manner in which the India A openers handled the New Zealand bowling. “I thought they played very well. They left the ball well but at the same time, they put away the bad ball, especially Ramesh. He was very good on the drive and played very well on a wicket that was still helping us with the new ball.” Very true, Jacob, very true. You might just be seeing a bit more of this bloke in the days to come.

Changing of the guard in store as teams prepare to spin up a storm

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One veteran spinner at the crossroads, and two slow bowlers at the starting gates of potentially prolific careers. It will rely on the weather, but it’s possible that Tasmania and Victoria will make a major contribution toward a changing of the guard in Australian spin bowling when their Pura Cup match begins in Hobart tomorrow.Ordinarily, Colin Miller – who returned to Victoria at the start of last summer, but who still remains something of a hero in both locations – would be expected to represent a major force in a meeting between these two states. But a slow start to the season from a Bushrangers squad that doesn’t easily deal with being on the bottom of competition ladders means that no-one is being spared in the search for better results.Tasmania is having its own problems after an encouraging start in Sydney. Injuries to key batsmen Dene Hills and Michael DiVenuto and all-rounder Scott Kremerskothen haven’t helped, compounding a lack of penetration with the ball that has forced the Tigers to attempt to bat out the last day of all three of their matches to date.Which all means that, though neither 19-year-old Xavier Doherty nor 18-year-old Cameron White was barely even born by the time that Miller had graduated to first-class ranks, there is every chance they’ll be the spinners making the waves this week.Along with left arm paceman Mathew Inness, White and Miller are likely to jockey for the remaining two positions in a Victorian attack headed by pacemen Paul Reiffel and Damien Fleming and all-rounder Ian Harvey.”He’s got a huge future ahead of him. We’re very excited about him; we think he has a very long career ahead,” said Reiffel of leg spinning all-rounder White on his arrival in Hobart today.”He seems a lot older than he actually is. He carries himself very well. He’s an exciting talent; there’s no doubt about that.”We’re very happy to have him in our side.”In the opposite dressing rooms, meanwhile, left arm orthodox spinner Doherty is certain to be included in the eleven, filling a berth vacated by all-rounder Brad Thomas after a crushing innings loss to South Australia.”Potentially, he could have a very good career ahead of him,” said Tasmanian captain, Jamie Cox, in reference to Doherty.”We’ve monitored his progress for quite some time now.”And there are great opportunities for Xavier, with a bit of a dearth of finger spinning (bowlers) around the country … really there aren’t many around. We thought the time was right to give him a go.”It opens the way for the prospect that White will play just his third first-class match and Doherty his first.And that not even Miller’s status as his country’s reigning Test player of the year, nor as one of the most successful bowlers in history at the Bellerive Oval, may guarantee him his place.And all in a game that is likely to be played in attacking style, given that results elsewhere over recent weeks have left these two teams in urgent need of outright points.The only threat might be Hobart’s weather. Though there has ironically been no rain at the ground since Monday – the last of four days of poor conditions which played havoc with the Second Test between Australia and New Zealand – the long-range forecast points to the likelihood of a return of unpleasant conditions over the weekend.One team may need to turn the match its way quickly.Teams:Tasmania: Jamie Cox (c), Scott Mason, Michael Dighton, Shane Watson, Daniel Marsh, Shaun Young, Sean Clingeleffer, Damien Wright, David Saker, Xavier Doherty, Shane Jurgensen, Adam Polkinghorne.Victoria: Paul Reiffel (c), Matthew Elliott, Jason Arnberger, Matthew Mott, Brad Hodge, Michael Klinger, Ian Harvey, Darren Berry, Cameron White, Damien Fleming, Colin Miller, Mathew Inness.

Sussex innings built round Robin

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Sussex were indebted to bowler Robin Martin-Jenkins (86), who made hishighest score in first-class cricket with thirteen boundaries, to save their innings in the championship match against Essex at Arundel. His 150 runs fifth-wicket partnership with Tony Cottey (83), who reached the boundary twelve times in his 145-ball stay, picked the county from 45-4 and set them on the way to a 265 runs total.Both batsmen were dismissed by Danny Law (3-74), previously with Sussex, after which Ashley Cowan (4-61) cut down the lower-order with three wickets for eight runs in less than two overs. The rescue was needed as neither captain Chris Adams nor Michael Bevan scored as they offered no stroke to the balls which dismissed them. By then Richard Montgomerie was already back in the pavilion.Wicketkeeper Barry Hyam’s fine catch – one of his five in the innings – to sendback Toby Peirce gave Mark Ilott his 50th first-class wicket. In their 15 overs batting before the close Essex reached 30-2.

Everton offer Kessie a contract

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Everton have made an offer to Franck Kessie ahead of the expiry of his AC Milan contract but the player is unconvinced, according to Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Kessie has reportedly turned down the offer of an extension at the San Siro and made clear his intention to depart in the summer.

He’s currently able to negotiate with foreign clubs with a view to potentially joining on a free transfer.

Landing Kessie on a Bosman deal would be impressive business given that the player is rated at £43.2million by Transfermarkt.

Stefano Pioli has used the Ivorian first and foremost as a defensive midfielder, but he can also operate as a box-to-box number eight.

The latest

Everton have reportedly proposed pre-contract terms to Kessie, though he isn’t thought to be particularly keen.

The player was hopeful that teams towards the top of the Premier League would come in for him, but no such offers have materialised yet.

Instead, he’s increasingly open to the idea of joining FC Barcelona, who have ‘intensified’ their efforts to sign him in recent weeks.

The verdict

It’s no surprise that Everton are interested in Kessie, regarded as a near-complete midfielder by former Milan star Antonio Cassano.

Cassano says that Kessie ‘scores, he assists, he doesn’t lose the ball, he’s intelligent’ and claimed that he can be ‘devastating’.

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The problem is that it may just be a bit too ambitious. The Toffees, let’s not forget, are fighting to avoid relegation, whereas Milan are in the midst of a Serie A title race and Barcelona are a club of similarly immense stature who will hope to be competing in next season’s Champions League.

If Lampard can lure the 25 year-old to Merseyside though, he could form a monstrous midfield partnership with Abdoulaye Doucouré.

In other news, Everton could sell this academy product if the right offer arrives.

Ervine inflicts first Twenty20 loss on Victoria

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George Bailey’s half-century guided Tasmania to victory and the top of the Twenty20 table © Getty Images
 

ScorecardSean Ervine helped Western Australia become the first team to beat Victoria in a Twenty20 match, pushing them past the Bushrangers’ 186 with nine balls to spare. Ervine remained unbeaten on 56 from 34 deliveries after the Warriors’ top order made a quick start to the hefty chase. Clinton McKay came in for some harsh treatment, finishing with 0 for 50 from his three overs as Luke Pomersbach belted 39 from 22 balls and Luke Ronchi struck 26 from 11. Shaun Marsh then added a handy 35 as Victoria’s second-string attack could not stem the flow. The Bushrangers had looked on target to remain undefeated from all their matches in three seasons of Twenty20 when Brad Hodge’s 45 guided them to 9 for 186. But the Perth crowd got its money’s worth with 373 runs scored in three hours of play.
ScorecardGeorge Bailey’s second consecutive half-century pushed Tasmania across the line as they chased down New South Wales’ 157 with one ball to spare in Hobart. Bailey rattled up a quick 54 from 38 balls, including three sixes, but fell with 18 needed from the final three overs. Dan Marsh made 24 not out and got his side over the line following Michael Dighton’s solid start – he made 29 before he was the first of Doug Bollinger’s two victims. The Blues’s run-rate eased when Ben Hilfenhaus collected three wickets from seven balls at the top of the order, including Simon Katich for 6. Brad Haddin steadied with 49, taking 41 balls to get there, while Moises Henriques (28) and David Warner (31) chipped in.Match abandoned
ScorecardPersistent rain meant Queensland’s game against South Australia at the Gabba was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The showers eased and the umpires wanted five overs per side – the Bulls won the toss and would have batted – but the weather turned bad again and both sides were denied their first victory of the season.

Woolmer's post-mortem inconclusive

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An ambulance is parked the Pakistan team hotel where Bob Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room © AFP

The results of Bob Woolmer’s post-mortem, conducted on Tuesday morning at a Kingston hospital nearly 48 hours after his passing away, were inconclusive. The pathologists have asked for further tests to be conducted.Earlier, it was decided that once the autopsy results were given to the police in the afternoon, the body will be handed over to the Pakistan team, who will then keep it in a funeral parlourbefore the long journey to Cape Town. The casket will go with the team toLondon, with Murray Stevenson, the Pakistan trainer, then accompanying it to Cape Town, whereWoolmer lived with his wife, Gill, and two sons.”The deputy commissioner, Mark Shields, and the superintendent, explainedthe police procedure to us,” said Pervez Mir, the Pakistan team’s mediamanager. “Gill Woolmer authorised Murray Stevenson and the team managementto officially identify the body. The autopsy would have started at 9:30this morning, and the body will be released to us later this afternoonprovided everything’s fine. A [death] certificate will then be asked for.”In view of the sensitivity of the circumstances surrounding the death,the police have sealed his room. The forensics have been in there, and thefingerprinting has been done. We won’t know till afternoon what thefindings are.”Nasim Ashraf, the board chairman, has also instructed Mir and Talat Ali,the manager, to journey to South Africa for the funeral service. The teamleaves for Montego Bay on Thursday, and will then fly to London beforeheading home.Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica yesterday morning and later pronounced dead. Reports have alleged Woolmer suffered from diabetes and had recently experienced breathing difficulties.”It was about 10:45 Jamaica time yesterday morning when a housekeeper let herself into the room and found Bob unconscious. A nurse was called and a doctor very soon after that and he was rushed to the University of West Indies Hospital, which is about 10 minutes away, where he was pronounced dead at around 12 noon.”Shields’ understanding is that at no stage did Woolmer regain consciousness. “As far as I know, he didn’t. He was unconscious and may even have been dead when he was found but that’s yet to be confirmed. That’ll be part of the post-mortem, to discover exactly what time he died.”I do know they treated it as though he was still unconscious and did everything they could to get him to hospital for resuscitation. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.”Shields assuaged claims of the death being treated as suspicious. “We would always treat any sudden death – even in the UK – as suspicious until we can prove otherwise. We’ve had maximum co-operation from international cricket, the Pakistan team and everybody else involved at the hotel. I’m hoping we can wrap this up as soon as possible.”

WICB monitor Zimbabwe crisis

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After Taibu’s departure more are likely to follow © Getty Images

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), along with the rest of the cricket world, is anxiously following developments in Zimbabwe following the government’s take-over of the administration of the game on Saturday.The move and a continuing strike by members of the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers’ Association (ZPCA) over contracts and governance issues have put Zimbabwe’s scheduled tour of the West Indies from April 15-May 15, for two Tests and five one-day internationals, in considerable doubt.Zoral Barthley, the WICB’s cricket operations officer, said yesterday he was awaiting clarification on the situation from Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC). “We really have only a few weeks to finalise bookings for their travel and accommodation,” he said. “The critical time is the end of January.” He noted that it was too early to make any contingency plans. “We’ll wait until we are further appraised of the situation but time is obviously a consideration,” he added.The Zimbabwe players are angry over what they claim is mismanagement and corruption within the ZC and non-payment of their fees for last year’s series against New Zealand and India and other contract issues. They have already refused to participate in the Afro-Asia A team series in Bangladesh next week and an Under-23 tour of South Africa next month.They reiterated their stand Wednesday that they would not tour the West Indies unless Peter Chingoka, Zimbabwe Cricket chairman and Ozias Bvute, ZC chief executive, are removed from office. But Gibson Mashingaidze, Army Brigadier, also the head of the government’s Sports and Recreation Commission, announced yesterday that Chingoka would be retained in the same position on an interim board. As a paid employee, Bvute is also likely to remain on.Mashingaidze added that all previous white and Asian directors were dismissed because of “their racial connotations and serving their own agendas and not government policy”. He was defiant in the face of the possibility that the ICC would withdraw Zimbabwe’s Test status, as it did for two months in 2004 during another strike by some leading players.Tatenda Taibu, former Zimbabwe captain, quit to take up a contract in Bangladesh last month and other players have gone to Australia and India since the impasse. Others are planning similar moves. One of the senior players, Andy Blignaut said after the players’ meeting Wednesday that they did not wish to damage the ICC tours programme nor “make things difficult for West Indies”.”But we have no option but to carry this through,” he added. “We are hoping all these issues can be resolved but I must say that at present the prospects look bleak. We are all determined about our course of action. It represents our only hope of proper treatment.”Zimbabwe have played 83 Tests since being granted official status in 1992, including six against the West Indies. The ICC had previously declined to intervene in what it described as “an internal matter”. But last night it promised a statement on the issue within 24 hours.

Pakistan management denies rape charge

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The Pakistan team management has denied the rape allegation levelled at a team member, but the board has launched an investigation into the matter. has reported that the unnamed player accused of the crime denied it through his manager.The board has asked Haroon Rashid, the team manager, for a report before it begins the investigation. Zakir Khan, the manager of cricket operations for the PCB, who was alerted to the allegation by his Australian counterpart, said, “The fact is nobody knows what is the real story,” and admitted that they were baffled.”I cannot say anything more until we get to the bottom of what has happened,” said Zakir. “It has taken nearly three weeks for this woman or girl or whoever she is to come up with this. There is no police report and nothing else. We don’t know what is the legal procedure, so we will definitely be consulting people, lawyers also, on how to tackle this situation if it is true. It’s distressing for everyone.”The woman, who wanted anonymity, reported the matter to the Centre Against Sexual Assault, who informed Cricket Australia (CA) a while ago. A spokesperson for CA said that they had informed the Pakistan management of the allegations this late because the preparations for the tsunami relief game had been intense.”We should have told the Pakistan team management and we didn’t,” said the spokesperson. “There’s no excuse for that, although I should say that the last two weeks have been probably the most extraordinary two weeks in Australian cricket history in terms of what we’ve done and the outcome.”Bob Woolmer admitted that the team members were shocked when they heard the news. “There was stunned silence really. Everyone sort of looked at each other. Personally I don’t think anyone in the dressing-room was involved.”It’s totally against Islamic law. It’s totally against everything they believe in.”

Pakistan matches allocated, and final returns to domestic series

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Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand will open on December 8 with a three-day match against Canterbury at Hagley Oval while Auckland will play the tourists in the second of their pre-Test warm-up matches. The first Test is scheduled to begin on December 19 in Hamilton.As a bridge between the Tests and one-day internationals, a one-day match against Wellington will be played at the Basin Reserve, where Pakistan will have just completed the second Test match of the series. Northern Districts will host the opening one-day match against South Africa on February 12 while another major association side will play a three-day match as a warm-up for the South Africans before the Test matches from March 5-7.New Zealand’s domestic four-day programme, the State Championship will open on December 1 with matches continuing throught the Christmas-New Year period which has traditionally been when one-day matches have been played. However, Major Associations have been critical that they have suffered a drop-off in crowds in this period while State Shield one-day matches clash with New Zealand’s international games. By staging the one-day programme between the Pakistan and South African series, although there is a conflict for the early part of the programme with the Pakistan tour, there should be a chance for greater local interest in the domestic matches.When the Championship programme ends on January 9, the teams placed first, second and third will play their final three games against fourth, fifth and sixth, and with points carried on, the two highest scoring teams after eight rounds will play off in a final played from March 4-7.The Shield programme will start on January 8 with the final scheduled for Waitangi Day, February 6, New Zealand’s national holiday.The State Championship programme is:Monday Dec 1 – Canterbury v Otago, Aorangi Park, TimaruThursday Dec 4 – Northern Districts v Auckland, Westpac Park, Hamilton; Wellington v Central Districts, Basin Reserve, WellingtonSunday Dec 7 – Northern Districts v Central Districts, Harry Barker Reserve, GisborneWednesday Dec 10 – Auckland v Otago, Eden Park Outer Oval, AucklandFriday Dec 12 – Wellington v Canterbury, Basin Reserve, WellingtonThursday Dec 18 – Auckland v Wellington, Eden Park Outer Oval, AucklandSunday Dec 21 – Central Districts v Canterbury, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, Otago v Northern Districts, Carisbrook, DunedinSaturday Dec 27 – Auckland v Central Districts, Eden Park Outer Oval, AucklandTuesday Dec 30 – Canterbury v Northern Districts, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Otago v State Wellington, Carisbrook, DunedinSaturday Jan 3 – Canterbury v Auckland, Hagley Oval, ChristchurchTuesday Jan 6 – Central Districts v Otago, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Northern Districts v Wellington, Westpac Park, HamiltonOn the completion of the series of five rounds, all teams will be placed from 1 – 6 according to the points obtained. A draw for the remaining three rounds of the competition will be based on teams finishing 1, 2, 3 each playing the teams finishing 4, 5, 6. Points earned in the first five rounds will be carried forward to the remaining three rounds. At the conclusion of the eight rounds the two teams with the most points will play off in the final.Saturday Feb 14 – 1 v 6Tuesday Feb 17 – 2 v 5, 3 v 4Friday Feb 20 – 1 v 5Monday Feb 23 – 2 v 4, 3 v 6Thursday Feb 26 – 1 v 4Sunday Feb 29 – 2 v 6, 3 v 5Thursday Mar 4 – Sunday Mar 7 FINALThe State Shield draw is:Thursday Jan 8 – Northern Knights v Wellington Firebirds, Westpac Park, HamiltonFriday Jan 9 – Central Stags v Auckland Aces, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth , Otago Volts v Canterbury Wizards, Molyneux Park, AlexandraSunday Jan 11 – Wellington Firebirds v Canterbury Wizards Basin Reserve, Wellington, Central Stags v Northern Knights Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, Otago Volts v Auckland Aces, Molyneux Park, Alexandra.Tuesday Jan 13 – Canterbury Wizards v Auckland Aces, Rangiora Recreation Ground, Northern Knights v Otago Volts, Harry Barker Reserve, Gisborne, Wellington Firebirds v Central Stags Basin Reserve, Wellington.Friday Jan 16 – Auckland Aces v Wellington Firebirds Eden Park, Auckland, Canterbury Wizards v Northern Knights, Rangiora Recreation Ground, Central Stags v Otago Volts Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton.Sunday Jan 18 – Auckland Aces v Northern Knights Eden Park, Auckland, Central Stags v Canterbury Wizards Waikanae Park, Waikanae, Otago Volts v Wellington Firebirds Centennial Park, Oamaru.Wednesday Jan 21- Northern Knights v Canterbury Wizards Westpac Park, Hamilton (D/N), Otago Volts v Central Stags Carisbrook, Dunedin, Wellington Firebirds v Auckland Aces Basin Reserve, Wellington.Friday Jan 23 – Central Stags v Wellington Firebirds New Plymout , Canterbury Wizards v Otago Volts Aorangi Park, Timaru,Northern Knights v Auckland Aces Westpac Park, Hamilton (D/N)Sunday Jan 25 – Auckland Aces v Central Stags Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland, Canterbury Wizards vWellington Firebirds, Hagley Oval, Christchurch,Otago Volts v Northern Knights, Queens Park, InvercargillTuesday Jan 27 – Auckland Aces v Otago Volts Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland, Wellington Firebirds v Northern Knights Basin Reserve, Wellington, Canterbury Wizards v Central Stags Hagley Oval, Christchurch.Friday Jan 30 – Auckland Aces vCanterbury Wizards Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland, Northern Knights v Central Stags Westpac Park, Hamilton (D/N),Wellington Firebirds v Otago Volts Basin Reserve, Wellington.Monday Feb 2 – Semi- Final (2 v 3)Tuesday Feb 3 – Reserve DayFriday Feb 6 – FinalSaturday Feb 7 – Reserve Day

Matt Bulbeck cant wait to start taking wickets again

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Matt Bulbeck just can’t wait for the start of the 2002 season,when he can get back to where he was and “start taking wickets again.”The left arm seamer who celebrated his twenty second birthday just recently told me of his frustrations during 2001. “I want to put two bad years behind me and get back to where I was before all of this happened” he said.Certainly Matt, who announced his arrival on the scene in 1998 by taking 26 wickets to top the Somerset averages,has been working hard to ensure that he back to full fitness by the time the 2002 season gets underway.Every morning for the last couple of months he has been a regular visitor to The Academy Fitness Centre at The County Ground where he has been following a rigorous training programme under the watchful eye of Club Physio Darren Veness and Fitness Trainer Andy Hurry.The Physio told me “Matt is training very hard, and his fitness is better now than it has ever been.He’s naturally fit so we have to step things up a gear for him.”What about next year I asked him. “We are looking for Matt to start 2002 as a definite first team prospect” the Physio replied.Matt will have the added bonus of training in the sunshine during the winter months because he is jetting off to Australia just before Christmas where he will be spending three months at The Paul Terry Cricket Academy in Perth.During his time in Perth Matt will continue with his fitness programme and will have daily nets working with former Aussie bowler Bruce Reid. He will also play cricket for a local club at the weekends.By the time he returns to Taunton in March “I want to be better than I was before I got injured” Matt told me, a sentiment that will be echoed by all Somerset supporters.