Parsons unravels Unicorns myth

Keith Parsons appeals during the 2001 C&G Final against Leicestershire at Lord's where he was man of the match

Unicorns captain Keith Parsons hopes the power of the underdog will carry his side through their Clydesdale Bank 40 campaign this summer.

The former Somerset all-rounder will lead a 21-strong squad - all players without first-class contracts - against six other counties in Group A.

The minnows kick off with a trip to Surrey tomorrow - Parsons' 37th birthday - followed 24 hours later by a game against Sussex at Hove.

The Unicorns will also meet Lancashire, Glamorgan, Somerset and Worcestershire in the new competition where sides meet home and away.

"We have absolutely nothing to lose as a team but the youngsters in the side have everything to gain as individuals," Parsons told ecb.co.uk.

"This is their chance to show they deserve a contract with a county. The idea of the Unicorns is to have a mix of players - some of us who have played a bit and some younger guys who can use this competition as a shop window."

Parsons has certainly been around the block once or twice. After making his Somerset debut in 1992, he finally hung his boots two years ago and he hopes that experience will help the Unicorns upset the formbook this season.

"All the games will be difficult," he said. "We will be playing against teams with full-time professionals who train or play almost every day of the week. We are quietly confident of causing an upset though.

"We'd like to win four or five games but the main thing is to be competitive and make sure we give the counties a good game."

Parsons square cuts against Worcestershire - form he hopes to repeat when he leads the Unicorns this summer

With a changing room full of older players grateful to get another shot at the big-time and young hopefuls desperate to show they deserve a contract, Parsons knows he will have to marshall his troops wisely.

"I was keen when the offer to captain came up," he said. "It's a really good challenge and an honour. I'm still reasonably fit and should be able to perform at this level. I'm excited about it.

"I will tell the players to enjoy the experience. We start at the Oval, then Hove and Taunton, so we are playing at some great venues against some good players. I will tell them to relax.

"Nerves are a good thing though. You can use them to your advantage."

After 16 seasons in the South-West, which included winning the man of the match award in the 2001 C&G Final, Parsons is particularly excited about taking the Unicorns back to Taunton on May 9.

"Playing at Taunton will be a great moment for me," he added. "No doubt I will take a lot of stick as I have a lot of good friends down there, like Marcus Trescothick who will be the opposing captain. I'm sure it will be a good day and I hope we get a good crowd in.

"I have lots of highlights from my time at Somerset and one of them was winning the C&G Trophy. Lord's finals are always great occasions but to win the game and be man of the match made it a special day."