WE are now three games in to the 2024 County Championship season and Somerset find themselves in level third place in the Division One table.

All three of the Cidermen's opening fixtures have ended in draws, but thanks to batting and bowling points, they have accumulated 41 points so far.

Despite not winning any of the fixtures, there has been plenty of positives within the Somerset campaign to date.

Craig Overton returning to strong form after injury, Tom Lammonby impressing with the bat, Kasey Aldridge improving as a proper all-rounder and Lewis Gregory slotting into the captaincy role seamlessly. Just to name a few.

Speaking after the recent draw in Taunton against Nottinghamshire, captain Gregory said: “Three draws is a solid start to the season for us. We have played some really good cricket and now need to build on it with a win.

“On the whole I am really pleased. There were a lot of plus points. It was great to see Craig Overton bat so well because he has had a couple of relatively dry years by his standards.

"He was hitting the ball beautifully in pre-season and it was good to see that come to fruition in the last couple of games."

Speaking on the return to form, vice-captain Overton said: "I had surgery for a bulging disc last November. Then it was eight weeks of not doing much before Christmas before a slow build-up back to fitness from then on.

“Today I felt I got better the more I bowled and it was nice to contribute. I’m happy to be vice-captain this season and will be there to lead the side whenever Lewis Gregory needs a rest.

“We have started the season well with two good draws and hopefully we can press home our advantage here.”

Currently, Somerset have two key players out injured in Jack Leach and Tom Abell.

Head coach Jason Kerr said: "Leachy is doing brilliantly, he's trained with us recently, so hopefully he will be available early May. 

"And Abell is progressing brilliantly, it is a day-to-day thing we'll manage as his symptoms progress but hopefully he is not too far away.

"What's important is we don't rush him and do the right thing by Abes, there's a lot of cricket left in the Summer and we want him available for all of that."

And speaking on the new captaincy pairing in Gregory and Overton, Kerr said he is pleased how things have gone so far.

"They have been brilliant, Craig has been out for a while, so he's played two back-to-back, so we need to look after him," he said.

"And with Lewis having the leadership, he's probably bowled more than last year so far, we need to be really smart and make sure he doesn't take on too much."

Somerset are back in action this week in Kidderminster where they take on Worcester in their next four-day match.