England tussle is start of a special run at Taunton

WHEN England run out at Taunton today for their second IT20 match with South Africa it will complete a 13-year dream for Somerset chairman Andy Nash.

The 12,500 capacity venue will host England for the first time in a bilateral fixture and the hope is that it will be the first of many international games in the West Country in years to come.

Somerset are the smallest of the 18 counties but have invested around £50million to get their Taunton ground up to international standard.

Today’s t20 is quickly followed by hosting seven matches in the Women’s World Cup over the next month, and Nash hopes many more international matches will follow.

He said:“The project to bring international cricket to Taunton started back in 2004 and it has been a 13year voyage of discovery.

“The first four years consisted of discussions, negotiations and paper work which was immensely frustrating, but absolutely indispensable.

“And then from 2008 onwards we were able to get underway.

“The ground was developed in four phases over the last ten years and the total value of what has been done amounts to about £50million.

“We have not bet the farm and have paid back our debts as we have gone on.”

England’s nine wicket win over South Africa at The Ageas Bowl on Wednesday means they can wrap up the three game series at Taunton today.

And for Nash that would make today’s special occasion even more memorable.

He added:“It would be extra special if England could wrap up the series – especially with the chance for two Somerset players in Jos Buttler and Craig Overton to be in the team.”

Taunton has already been selected as one of the hosts for the men’s World Cup in 2019 and Nash is hopeful the county can feature more on the international calendar from 2020.