Richard Johnson, Keith Parsons, Simon Francis, Michael Parsons and Neil Edwards will all learn in the next few weeks whether they will be offered new contracts. All their deals run out at the end of the season and Brian Rose, the director of cricket, says decisions will be made soon.

Somerset are also already scouting around for next year's overseas players. They have approached Justin Langer about returning, but he won't decide his future until after the Ashes, but the county are in the market for a batsman and a bowler.

Rose said: "I am inundated with details of players who might be interested in joining us, but I need to be very selective indeed."