SOMERSET'S new director of cricket, Matt Maynard, has spoken about the recent comings and goings at the County Ground, writes Richard Walsh.

He said: “There have been some big changes for the club, probably more than I would have liked initially, some of which have been enforced and I think we have reacted very well to them.

“Nick Compton is leaving us and I would like to wish him every success in the future, and Jim Allenby has joined us.”

Maynard gave his first indication of how he see’s the new signing fitting into the side.

“Jim is a quality cricketer and a very good player. What he will allow us to do, depending on the wickets, is to go into games with two front line bowlers from the likes of Alfonso Thomas, Craig/Jamie Overton, Lewis Gregory, Tim Groenewald plus Pete Trego, Allenby and Abdur Rehman as well as another spinner.

“This gives the people like Jack Leach, George Dockrell and Max Waller a real opportunity to play first class cricket with a high class spin bowler and learn from them, which gives the captain some great options.

Maynard went on: “I think this will help balance the side for later on in the summer and hopefully we can maintain a fit squad and rotate our seam bowlers throughout the course of the season.”

Talking about the other major appointment that was announced during his absence Maynard said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Steve Snell who is taking over running the Academy. I really like his attributes as a person and his enthusiasm for the job and I think that is a massive tick in his box and I think he has been a key appointment.”

He added: “I am here virtually all the way through the rest of the winter now and even though it was nice to be out in Dubai with Scotland I missed the County Ground and my mind was also back here in Somerset.”

The Taunton Area Committee are holding their Christmas Carol Lunch at the County Ground on Thursday December 4th, when they will be joined by the King’s Hall School Choir.

Tickets cost £20 per person and are available from the main office in the Andy Caddick Pavilion at the County Ground in Taunton or by calling Mary Elworthy on 01823 400679.