SOMERSET got their season underway on Saturday when they entertained Loughborough UCCE at the County Ground.

Somerset put out their strongest available side, including their England big guns Andy Caddick and Richard Johnson along with Jamie Cox who jetted in from Tasmania last Wednesday.

The Somerset pre-season preparations have been badly hit by the weather and the two-day match against Gloucestershire on Monday and Tuesday was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The players did, however, get some cricket on their trip to Cornwall last weekend.

For the full story, see this week's (April 9) Somerset County Gazette.