TRACTOR'S TALES.

At last a TSL home game! The last one here at Taunton, two months ago, was the forgettable encounter with Scotland, straight after the euphoria of the victory against the Aussies. What's happened since?

Chief Executive Peter Anderson, Nixon McLean, Sanath Jayasuriya, Graeme Smith, all departed. Charl Langeveldt arrived as a new bowler, Ian Blackwell appointed captain with Matt Wood vice captain, and Richard Gould appointed new Chief Executive. Brian Rose was appointed Director of Cricket and immediately implemented strict directives regarding new fitness standards; yet to be published, I understand they include regular tests for stepping on cricket balls, putting on socks, picking up babies, and also something about preventing one's own car from running over one's own foot!

Against Leicestershire in the FCC, Graeme Smith produced one of those innings that come along once in a while. Threatening Viv's 322 v Warwickshire 1985 & Jimmy Cook's 313* v Glamorgan 1990, he scored a quite fantastic 311 off just 255 balls in less than a day, assisting Somerset in yet another (okay their 2nd) championship win of the season.

Rain affected the subsequent TSL game at Canterbury, so plenty of time to sample their Shepherd Neame Spitfire again. Just 16 overs per side were possible, but this proved to be good practice for the forthcoming twenty20 finals day. A welcome return for Johnno (first time since the Bath festival), and Somerset ran out easy victors by 8 wickets with over 3 overs to spare!

Next, a dash back to Taunton for the FCC game against Durham. This turned out to be the Paul Collingwood show (181 & 105*). Despite some unexpected decisions (claiming bad light just short of a fourth batting point, and later not enforcing the follow-on) Durham still ran out comfortable victors.

Then that twenty20 finals day at The Oval. Graeme Smith led our youthful side to a 4 run victory against last year's winners Leicestershire in the semi-final, then after a short Girls Aloud (whoooooooo?) stoppage, comprehensively beat tournament favourites Lancashire in the final. Yet another trophy!

TSL cricket resumed straight after with a floodlit (initially half-floodlit from the start of our innings) game at Hove on the Monday (new Harvey's Sussex Ale). We got near their formidable 266 total and at one point looked on for a possible victory, but fell short by just 11 runs.

Straight off to Derby next (fizzy Marston's Pedigree) for another TSL floodlit game on Wednesday. Scores in this game were remarkably similar to those at Hove. Despite a spirited effort from Gazzard (62) & Suppiah (79), Somerset fell short of Derby's 277 by just 15 runs.

In the subsequent FCC fixture Somerset endured first an excruciating, painfully slow crawl from Derby attempting to level our impressive 460 1st innings (Suppiah 123, Durston 146*), then second an impressive run-chase. Set 6 an over, Derby looked on course to steal the points, but Blackie and Caddick's never-say-die attitude claimed a sensational 5 run victory.

Today we welcome the 'T-Apostrophes' from oop nooorth for t'cricket and the MJ Wood clash. To clear up any confusion our MJ Wood wears the Somerset Wyvern motif on his front, Yorkshire's MJ Wood doesn't.

Today's celebrity birthdays include Halle (anyone fancy a swim) Berry, Sarah (Mislaid her Heart to a Starship Trooper) Brightman, and Steve (the man with two brains so could assist with Duckworth Lewis calculations) Martin. Tomorrow it's Simon Francis' birthday. Many Happies, Frankie!

Lastly, one more, very sad departure to report is that of Pat - war veteran, Stragglers Barman, and just a good mate, who passed away Sat 30th July. Cheers Pat.

COME ON SOMERSET!!!