One of the most important part of an successful club is to tie up its best players to long-term contracts and it is significant that Somerset have agreed terms with James Hildreth until 2011. Some 3916 runs in 62 games highlights how talented the 23-year old is and international honours, whilst perhaps not forthcoming this summer, are not too far down the road. A stint with the England Lions during the winter means Hildreth is in the peripheral vision of the selectors.

The BBC Sport lead story in the cricket section is how Ryan Sidebottom would love to play in a proposed $20m winner-takes-all Twenty20 match. With penetrating journalism like this, it’s easy to see how the beeb remains at the cutting edge of things. Sir Allen Stanford has the money and enthusiasm to do a great deal of good in cricket, just ask the Lord’s Taverners, but I still maintain there’s something slightly greedy and grubby about it. In fairness to Sidebottom, he is just wanting to play every game he can and with his talent that has been surpressed in county cricket for so long, who can blame him?

So, onto pink balls. Why not…if it means players can see them better when they get scuffed or coated in lush grass. I think the advent of the IPL shows what direction the sport can take itself so a different coloured ball is hardly revolutionary but good sense.

I have started to pontificate, as I tend to do with a bee in my bonnet, about the IPL. I don’t think it’s a bad idea though the Indian public might take some cajoling to support their franchise ahead of their favourite Test players. I’m probably just bitter that I can’t watch any of it - though part of me is pleased Sky don’t have it. Thirty-one and a grumpy sod! But for some level-headedness, might I suggest Justin Langer. His columns for the BBC Sport website are excellent (and I thought that before he joined Somerset):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7357805.stm

This is a snippet of what he had to say about Somerset’s forthcoming journey in Division One:

“The first division will allow me and my team-mates the opportunity to challenge ourselves against the best players and the best teams. Having come from the bottom of the second division last year I have no doubts that Somerset are in for a battle all summer.  But I am hoping the momentum and confidence gained from last year will at least count for something. Like the IPL, the best part of playing first-class and international cricket is having the opportunity to test yourself against the best players.”

So finally, back to cricket. I am off to Worcester on Sunday to watch a game at New Road. A chance to test a new 400mm lens (and hopefully a Somerset victory) is a superb reason to wave London goodbye for the day. No Hick as the big man is injured but it will, weather permitting, just be significant to watch first class cricket at one of the country’s most pictureque grounds.

Photos to follow on here….