Somerset, who were runners up in Division One of the county championship in 2001, travel to Hove on Wednesday to face Sussex, the Division Two champions last season, for their opening first class match of 2002.

Since the introduction of the two tier championship the counties have not met. The last time that Somerset played at Hove was in July 1998 and on that occasion they had to settle for seven bonus points in a high scoring draw, the feature of which was Adrian Pierson's maiden century.

The following season when Sussex came to Taunton the Cidermen scored 503 for 8 declared in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Jamie Cox and Piran Holloway, and were victorious by 8 wickets.

Over the years Somerset have generally come off second best from their visits to the south coast. Of the 83 matches played away, Sussex have won 39 times compared to 19 Somerset victories, with 25 matches resulting in a draw.

With fast bowler Steffan Jones fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained last Monday at Millfield, Somerset coach Kevin Shine has named his strongest available side to make the journey.

The full squad is: Jamie Cox, Matt Wood, Mike Burns, Peter Bowler, Keith Parsons, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Keith Dutch, Richard Johnson, Matt Bulbeck, Steffan Jones and twelfth man Simon Francis.

Kevin Shine told me: "With Steffan Jones being declared fully fit after bowling in the nets today we are going into our opening championship match with a strong side. The boys are desperate to get going and are champing at the bit."

How were Somerset going to approach the match, I asked. The coach told me: "We will approach it in the same way that we have all of our matches this season, and play it hard. Sussex are a strong side and were the outstanding team in the second division last season. They have got a good attack with Lewry, Robinson and Kirtley, and they also have a strong batting line up with Montgomerie, Adams and Goodwin."

Who would open the bowling I asked the coach. He told me: "We will probably open with Matt Bulbeck and Richard Johnson, who complement each other, and then Steffan will probably bowl from the same end that `Johnno' does."

After hearing about his selection Matt Bulbeck told me: "I'm very happy to be playing against Sussex. I've worked very hard right through the winter and it's starting to pay off. Now I hope I can concrete my place in the team."

All rounder Ian Blackwell, who enjoyed a career best season in 2001 told me: "Everyone is looking forward to the game. We are going to Hove looking for a result. There will be high expectations from us after all doing so well in the pre-season matches. Everyone is fit, including Matt Bulbeck, and we are going there looking forward to knocking them over."

Keith Dutch, another player who enjoyed considerable success in 2001,told me: "We have started off well in our pre-season games and scored lots of runs. It will be interesting to see what kind of a pitch we get. I have never played a championship match at Hove so I'm really looking forward to it."

© SOMERSET