THE Somerset players all report back for the start of their official pre-season training today and included among them will be Craig Kieswetter, fresh from his success for England.

In his third innings for the full England side, the 22-year-old hit his maiden century at international level to underline the potential that he has displayed ever since he arrived at the County Ground back in 2006.

The following season he made his senior debut under the captaincy of Justin Langer, who is not at all surprised by the youngster's meteoric rise through the ranks.

Langer, a veteran of 104 Test matches, retired from first-class cricket at the end of last season. He is now a batting coach and mentor for Cricket Australia and was one of the influential factors behind Kieswetter's success at Somerset.

"I am delighted to see Craig playing so well. His development has been outstanding and he should be used as a role model to all of the other young players in the club," Langer said. "The reason for this is that he has taken his God-given talent and through tireless hard work has continued to improve.

"It is no surprise to me that he has started so strongly because he is an outstanding talent with a great work ethic and hunger to achieve excellence. If he continues to work hard, he could become one of the stand-out players in international cricket over the next decade."

Last season, Somerset were competitive in all competitions but just missed out on lifting any silverware, something which everybody at the club is keen to put right this year.

While the Cidermen would like to win any one or more of the three domestic competitions that are on offer this season, the coveted County Championship title is the one that features uppermost in the minds of many – because it is the prize that Somerset have never won in their 135 years of existence.

Director of cricket Brian Rose said: "In my playing days I had the honour of lifting the first ever trophy that Somerset County Cricket Club had won in their history, and that memory will stay with me forever.

"I think that Marcus Trescothick shares my view in that the crowning glory would be for Somerset to win the Championship title."

Looking ahead to the coming season, head coach Andy Hurry said: "I want to win all of the competitions that we are competing in, it's as simple as that.

"However, having never won the County Championship, there is a little bit of sentiment about that particular competition. I talk to the players about the 'glory years' of Botham, Richards and Garner, and at times that can be a cloud over their heads."

Somerset's opening pre-season friendly against Gloucestershire on Thursday, March 25, has been switched to Bath CC and will be played as a 40-over game starting at 12 noon.