Somerset County Cricket Club

Somerset County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Taunton.

After decades of life in the lower reaches of the County Championship, Somerset found success in the one day game in the 1970s under the combative, inspirational captaincy of Yorkshireman Brian Close. A trio of world class stars, Viv Richards, Joel 'Big Bird' Garner and England's finest all-rounder since the war Ian Botham made the team, for the first time in its long history, a formidable trophy winning proposition. Under the captaincy of left handed opener Brian Rose , Somerset won their first ever silverware although his reputation was somewhat tarnished by a controversial declaration in a one day Benson and Hedges zonal match to ensure qualification by run rate for the quarter final.

New captain Peter Roebuck caused huge controversy in the county when New Zealander Martin Crowe was preferred as overseas pro. Viv Richards and Joel Garner were sacked, despite proving themselves two of the most successful overseas players of modern times, and Ian Botham resigned in protest and moved to Worcestershire.

Success has been elusive in recent years, although New Zealand born Andy Caddick and opener Marcus Trescothick have proved major pillars of the England test team and overseas stars such as Jamie Cox have given sterling service for the club.