Somerset on the brink of history

Somerset are a stone’s throw away from lifting the first county championship title in the club’s history.

Justin Langer’s side trail LV County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire by eight points, knowing that victory over Lancashire at Taunton, coupled with Notts’ defeat against Hampshire at Trent Bridge, could see them seize top spot in Division One.

Coach Andy Hurry is in no doubt of the incentive for all involved with the county.

“It would be massive for the club, the players, the staff, the supporters. Everyone,” Hurry told ecb.co.uk.

“This county has seen some great players, but we’ve never lifted the title.”

Hurry also recognises the achievement of Langer, the former Australian opening batsman, in his time in charge at Taunton.

“He came to us two-and-half-years ago for the Twenty20 Cup, and we recognised him as the man to lead us,” added Hurry.

“He’s taken us from bottom of the entire championship to this point. He’s been perfect in the example he’s set to everyone.

“I’m sure it would be huge for Justin, another tick in his career box.”

Francois du Plessis, here bowled by Kent's Amjad Khan, has been called up by Nashua Titans

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All eleven players who started last week’s draw with Yorkshire are named in Hurry’s 13-man squad, so Somerset could go into the match unchanged.

Marcus Trescothick had to go to hospital with a shoulder problem midway through the draw at Scarborough, but he returned in the second innings to bat at number eight.

He is expected to open the batting with Arul Suppiah.

Steffan Jones is named among the XII, and could be called upon if Hurry chooses to bolster the bowling attack in search of a win.

Confidence is high in the Lancashire squad, despite the loss of Francois Du Plessis.

The South Africa batsman has returned to his native Pretoria in preparation of Nashua Titans' first match of the summer, with Mal Loye replacing him in the Lancashire batting line-up.

They are also without Sajid Mahmood, struggling with a side strain, and Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson, who are rested ahead of a full international winter.

Dominic Cork has also been left out, meaning he has played his last game for the county.

Chances are being given to 21-year-old bowler Stephen Cheetham, who signed a two-year contract with the club last week. Leg-spinner Stephen Parry is also includes, with both in line to make their first-class debuts.