Rose chases White signature

Cameron White enhanced his reputation during Australia's NatWest Series win - and confirmed his class to Brian Rose

Director of cricket Brian Rose admits Justin Langer’s departure will leave a huge hole in the Somerset side - but hopes another Australian can help fill the void next year.

Langer is nearing the end of his fourth and final season as captain, although he will lead the side in the Twenty20 Champions League in India next month.

The former Australia opener was one of the central figures behind Somerset’s transformation from LV= County Championship whipping boys into title contenders, and Rose knows he faces a tough task finding an adequate replacement.

However, Rose has wasted little time sounding out Cameron White, who enjoyed successful stints at Taunton in 2006 and 2007 and has since established himself in the Australia one-day team courtesy of a man-of-the-series performance against England recently.

“I have been talking to Cameron,” Rose told the TwelfthMan Podcast. “The structure of cricket next year has changed - we’re going to be playing a minimum of 16 Twenty20 games.

“Cameron’s a world-class Twenty20 player and he was particularly popular when he played at Somerset, so I’m talking to Cameron at the moment.

Although Somerset this week secured the signing Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik for 1010, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, who captained Somerset to Twenty20 Cup glory in 2005, may also return to the west country - if only for part of the season.

Justin Langer's commitment to improving has game has spread through the Somerset dressing room, according to Rose

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As of next summer, counties will be permitted to field two overseas players in the revamped 20-over competition, which will see two regional divisions consisting of nine teams rather than three groups of six, as is currently the case.

“There’s hope that with the new regulations that we might be able to play both of them (White and Smith) - or one play eight (games), the other play eight, something like that,” added Rose.

“I prefer two (overseas players). I think two’s good; it helps the youngsters in the club. Perhaps you wouldn’t be able to employ so many Kolpak players round the counties, but those Kolpak players that you’ve had could be your two overseas players.”

Langer’s “temperament and attitude” were among the key factors behind his and Somerset’s resurgence in recent years, but Rose has the utmost faith in Marcus Trescothick, his successor, as they bid to continue on an upward curve.

“Justin is 100% committed to his sport. That reflects itself in the way he trains, the way he prepares to bat,” said Rose.

“That has all had a huge influence on the way we prepare for our cricket, and he’s going to be a hard act to follow.

“We want to go forwards; we want to build on what he has given us. Marcus has got his heart and soul in Somerset cricket and there’s no way Marcus is going to go backwards. And with me behind it giving it a push...

“We’ve threatened all season to win something. We haven’t finally pulled it off but we’re very, very close.”