Ian Blackwell, the Somerset captain, is hopeful he might return to action before the end of the season. He injured his shoulder in May and the early prognosis was that he would struggle to make a comeback this summer.

However, he is making good progress and told the Somerset website: "All being well I can bat again in six weeks, bowl in seven weeks and two weeks after that start throwing.By the second week in September I might be in a position to play again."