JUST a few short hours after touching down from his overnight flight Matt Renshaw, Somerset’s overseas batter was reunited with his former team mates and outside batting on the grass ahead of the Cidermen’s first home championship match against Essex that starts on Thursday, writes Richard Walsh.

The 26 year old Australian who is left handed top order batter was such a huge success, both on and off the field when he spent a short time at Taunton back in 2018.

During his spell here Renshaw scored over 500 championship runs including three centuries as well as 180 runs including two 50s in six List A matches.

At an average of over 50 said he felt he was coming back home when he arrived at the ground.

After batting in the nets Renshaw said : “Its nice to be back here in Somerset colours again- it feels like home and I’ll be trying to get us some wins this season.

“The last time I was here it was a lot of fun and the main thing for me is to try to enjoy my cricket. The bunch of guys we have got in the group are great so I already know a lot of them so its good to be back here among some familiar faces.

“Its nice to have another Aussie striker (Peter Siddle) in the team and we have a great relationship so Im looking forward to linking up with him to get some runs and wickets.”

Did Renshaw have a message for the fans?

“Hopefully we can play a good brand of cricket. Last time I was here we played a lot of exciting games so hopefully we can replicate that and get a lot of wins and some silverware at the end of the season. Hopefully the fans can support us throughout all the good and the bad!”

Renshaw added: “I am here for the whole season which I am really excited about - this is a nice familiar place so to be for the summer and something Im looking forward to.”