SOMERSET are expected to include England paceman Andy Caddick in their line up for the championship match against Yorkshire which starts at Leeds next Wednesday (May 9).

The presence of Caddick, who was unavailable for the match against Glamorgan last week because of England commitments, could be one of the major determining factors as to whether the Cidermen retain their first division championship status this year.

Last season he appeared in just three championship matches, two of which Somerset won - the only two four-day victories they recorded all season. Against Hampshire at Southampton in May, Caddick had match figures of 12 for 106, while against Kent at Bath in June, he had a match return of 10 for 97 and in addition, he hit the winning run.

In all, he bowled just 114 overs last season in the three championship matches, but took 25 wickets at an average of 11.76.

Caddick's inclusion is going to provide Somerset with an impressive opening attack when he links up with new signing Richard Johnson, who has taken five wickets in an innings in each of the championship matches so far.

The England paceman's availability is going to pose a problem for team selection in the Somerset camp. With Mike Burns running back into form with the bat the problem facing Jamie Cox will be who to leave out of the team at Headingley.

Despite having both Caddick and his England team mate Marcus Trescothick playing, Somerset are likely to find themselves facing a tough match at Leeds because Yorkshire will welcome back their England players.

With a three match series against Pakistan starting on May 17, and a five match Ashes series later on this summer, it is unlikely that Caddick will play any more championship cricket until near the end of the season.

Somerset 2nds also start their season next Wednesday with a home fixture over three days in the Championship against Warwickshire.