Somerset County Cricket Club patron, Christopher Ondaajte was absolutely delighted with the way that the match against Sri Lanka had gone at Taunton on Friday.

After the close of play he told me: “It has been really fantastic for me to have been here on such a truly wonderful day and to have sponsored the first Patron’s Trophy match against Sri Lanka, the country of my birth.”

Mr Ondaajte continued: “I am certain that this is the start of a really thrilling one day cricket series in England, and I am delighted to have been part of it.”

Earlier in the day Mr Ondaajte had met the players from both sides and presented each team with an engraved silver salver and three engraved Queens Golden Jubilee Goblets, all of which had been specially commissioned, as a record of this special occasion.

At the end of the day Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me: Whilst of course I am pleased with the result I am very disappointed with the small number of spectators who had turned up to watch the match. Where were all the members on such a big day for the club?”

Following their 63 run defeat at the hands of Somerset, the Sri Lankans were back at the County Ground on Saturday morning practicing in the nets ahead of their one day match against Gloucestershire at Bristol tomorrow.

© SOMERSET