Somerset answered their critics with an impressive batting performance against table-toppers Yorkshire at Bath when they scored a massive 553 for five declared.

One performance that will be particularly pleasing to Somerset fans was the innings played by Matthew Wood who was making his debut. One aspect of criticism that has been levelled at the club recently has been its inability to produce batsmen, and the knock of 71 by the twenty-year-old from Exmouth, who has been on the second XI scene for three years, will help to quash the criticism.

Responding to general criticism about the results so far this season, Chief Executive Peter Anderson said: "I'm only too aware that members and supporters are becoming very disappointed with the team's performances on the field."

He went on to say that this was the third successive year that team selection had been disrupted by injuries to key players.

"When you can't field your best players, this affects the confidence of the rest of the team. It's not our capability to play that has affected our results, it's the lack of confidence," said Anderson.

Anderson pointed out that the club had signed fast bowler Richard Johnson from Middlesex in the winter to cover for the absence of Andy Caddick, but he had been injured. He added: "We kept Graham Rose, even though he is 36, because he is a class player and still useful as cover, but even he is injured."

© Somerset CCC