For the cynical Somerset cricket fan, their county oft seems to be passed over by the national selectors in favour of more fashionable counties like Yorkshire, Lancashire or Warwickshire. The counter-argument being that Championship titles do not lie and more successful counties such as Hampshire, Sussex and Durham have subsequently seen their players rewarded with caps.

By that rationale, Somerset’s welcome return to Division One should cast the spotlight back on Taunton and perhaps, just perhaps, there might be someone to follow the illustrious footsteps of Beefy and most recently, Trescothick into the international setup.

Players such as Peter Trego, who captained the MCC during the winter as reward for being the leading English allrounder in 2007,  need to continue that form into 2008.

With Banger’s potential return to Test cricket increasingly unlikely the more times he gently snubs the selectors (and let’s be honest, it’s a massive boost to see him in a Somerset shirt), it seems there are a few other names who might play their way into contention this summer, but who are they?

Peter Trego – With Andrew Flintoff due to make another injury comeback in 2008, there remains a possible place in the England side for an allrounder who is bighearted enough to try and fill Freddie’s boots. The jury is out on those that have tried. Trego missed out on each England touring party that was announced for the winter so he clearly has more than a few to convince but has healthy competition.

James Hildreth – There are some that mutter something uncomplimentary about the ECB under their breath when the topic of Hildreth comes up. Having had a fine 2007 and proved himself during the winter in India with the England Lions, he remains perhaps Somerset’s best bet of an England call.

Michael Munday – Those that press the claims of Michael Munday based on an admittedly excellent end to 2007 which was littered with wickets are a little ahead of themselves. He will need to prove himself in a division packed with international spinning talent before Michael Vaughan takes an interest but if Terry Jenner is impressed then he can’t be half bad, can he?! There is also a chap called Adil Rashid who to my mind is far closer to that England cap.

A Somerset player pulling on an England sweater in 2008? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility, especially if England keep playing like that have done in the winter but the truth is that there are others ahead of the queue in most areas of the team.

Perhaps the competitive part of the England setup is in the pace department with Harmison finally being given the heave-ho along with Hoggard (who will return I’m sure). Broad is highly rated but has yet to deliver consistently and Anderson goes from maestro to miserable in the space of a week.

So…and Somerset’s next England player? James Hildreth is closest out of any though Mark Turner as an outside bet if he plays well?

Who knows, all harmless speculation and all considerably irrelevant unless Somerset reproduce their 2007 form again this year.