Somerset might take opportunity to blood youngsters in Bob Willis Trophy

BOB WILLIS TROPHY PREVIEW: Two Taunton heroes have gone, and with key players missing on international duty Tom Abell will have the chance to look at the next generation

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Ins: None

Outs: Marcus Trescothick (retired) Peter Trego (Nottinghamshire), Tim Groenewald (Kent), Jerome Taylor (Gloucestershire), Tim Rouse, Paul van Meekeren (released)

Fixtures: August 1 - Glamorgan (h), August 8 - Northamptonshire (a), August 15 - Warwickshire (a), August 22 - Gloucestershire (h), September 6 - Worcestershire (a)

Remind me what happened last year?

So close, but no cigar. Somerset’s wait for Championship glory had to go on after Essex came up on the outside to claim their second title in three years.

There was a fleeting moment at a damp County Ground during the final match of the season, following an Essex first-innings implosion, that the impossible seemed to be happening. But, ultimately, there was not quite enough in the tank.

That Somerset managed to get within touching distance of top spot was quite remarkable when their batting was taken into account. No one averaged more than 31.5 and the side’s runs-per-wicket average of 24.99 was worse than all bar Nottinghamshire in Division One.

Eight bowlers, however, claimed at least 10 first-class wickets with an average of less than 25. 

What’s happened over the winter?

Gordon Hollins arrived from the ECB to become Somerset’s fourth chief executive in a little over two years.

Various overseas deals were scuppered, first by injury in the case of Matthew Wade and then by Covid-19. Babar Azam had been due to warm up for Pakistan’s tour with a red-ball stint, while Vernon Philander’s Kolpak contract was cancelled for 2020.

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Who’s arrived and who’s left?

There has been something of a changing of the guard at Taunton.

Marcus Trescothick has formerly called time on his playing career - he struggled to hold onto a spot in the first XI during his final year but was given a huge ovation when he came on to field as 12th man in the latter stages of the Championship curtain-call against Essex. Trescothick is now assistant coach to Jason Kerr.

Peter Trego, meanwhile, has moved to Nottinghamshire and Tim Groenewald to Kent.

Tom Abell takes charge, with no major new arrivals.

Who will be the key men in 2020?

Abell must score runs, as must James Hildreth.

Somerset will be desperate for England not to hang on to Jack Leach and Dom Bess for the duration of the Pakistan series, stripping them of both major spin options on the Ciderabad wicket at Taunton.

Fast bowling options should be plentiful, however, with Craig and Jamie Overton, and Lewis Gregory unlikely to be called away on international duty too often.

What can we expect from this team this season?

A young top order promises much but has yet to deliver on a regular basis.

The Bob Willis Trophy feels like an opportunity to see more of George Bartlett, Eddie Byrom, Kasey Aldridge and other recent graduates, as Somerset build towards another push for glory in 2021.

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