THE 1990s have been frustrating for Somerset. Despite the presence of successful overseas players - Jimmy Cook, Mushtaq Ahmed and Shane Lee - and some gifted cricketers of their own, they have stumbled regularly on the threshold of achievement.
In the championship their best place was fifth in 1993, since when they have finished 11th, ninth and 11th. Their best Sunday League place was also fifth in 1992 and in the knockout competitions they have had four losing semi-finals.
Another moderate season in 1996 prompted an internal shake-up. Former Lancashire player Andy Hayhurst, captain since 1994, has moved on to Derbyshire and coach Bob Cottam, who did much to lift the Somerset side from their trough of 1990 and 1991 when they finished 15th and bottom in the championship, has also departed by mutual consent. Peter Bowler, formerly with Leicestershire and Derbyshire, who joined the club in 1995, takes up the captaincy, while former Warwickshire captain Dermot Reeve has assumed the coaching duties. Colin Wells, formerly with Sussex and Derbyshire, will be Second XI coach and retains a player's registration.
Bowler, a consistent batsman and a deep thinker about the game, should do well, while Somerset are looking for a real impact from Reeve who, in his years at Warwickshire's helm, proved that he knows how to win titles.
These appointments, plus the return of Mushtaq Ahmed, the Pakistani leg-spinner, have produced a climate of considerable expectation and Somerset have the ability to challenge the best.
Mark Lathwell, 25, had an excellent season in 1996. A championship batting average of 44 put him second only to Lee whose punishing strokeplay will be missed, but less so if Marcus Trescothick can fulfil his potential. Richard Harden, who is one of the most consistent players in the country and, like Bowler, has a career average above 40, was handicapped by injury and perhaps distracted by his benefit last season but will surely score heavily once more.
The departures of Lee and Hayhurst should create more opportunities for Piran Holloway, Simon Ecclestone and Keith Parsons, all of whom have the ability to secure a regular place in the team as batsmen.
Holloway will be relieved of his reserve wicketkeeping commitments by the arrival of Michael Burns from Warwickshire and the signing of local boy Luke Sutton.
Ecclestone, like Holloway a left-hander but powerful and aggressive where Holloway is more adhesive, could make an impact in all competitions, while Parsons is improving steadily.
Wicketkeeper Rob Turner and beneficiary Graham Rose can be relied on for runs lower down, so the batting should be more than adequate. However, the bowling, though strong enough when all are fit and present, may lack depth.
Andrew Caddick, whose form improved significantly on the New Zealand leg of England's winter tour, will provide a cutting edge with the new ball while Rose's accuracy and life will ensure that batsmen get little respite at the other end.
Kevin Shine is likely to fill the third-seamer role, while the spin will be in the hands of Mushtaq and the under-rated Harvey Trump.
Problems could occur if, as seems likely, Caddick is selected for international duty, so it is important that Reeve and Bowler between them contrive to harness the wayward talent of Dutch fast bowler Andre van Troost.