Somerset CCC have confirmed a squad for the 2024 Metro Bank One Day Cup. Sean Dickson will once again captain the squad which sees the additions of Archie Vaughan and Joe Heywood.

18-year-old Archie signed his first professional contract earlier this year and has been a part of the Somerset Academy since 2020, making his Second XI debut in 2022. This winter, the top order batter and off spinner featured for Somerset in the Abu Dhabi T20 Counties Super Cup, opening the batting in the third place play off against Yorkshire where he made 35 from 28 balls in Somerset’s three-wicket victory. He was named in the England U19 Test squad for the two-match Youth Test series against Sri Lanka.

17-year-old Joe plays his club cricket for Bath and has been a part of the Somerset Pathway since 2021. The right-arm seamer made his debut for Somerset Second XI last summer.

Migael Pretorius is currently unavailable for selection.

The domestic English limited over competitions have had many names over the years.

The Gillette Cup, The Nat West Trophy, The Benson & Hedges Cup, The Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy and The Royal London One Day Cup are just a few of the monikers that have adorned the List A trophy over the years.

Somerset CCC has a rich tradition in such competitions, having secured silverware in 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1983 as part of the so-called Golden Years period, as well as tasting success in 2001 and 2019.

The latest incarnation of the domestic List A competition is the Metro Bank One Day Cup and we get our campaign up and running on Friday when we welcome Kent to the Cooper Associates County Ground on Friday for a floodlit match.

Somerset Interim Head Coach, Paul Tweddle, said: “We feel it’s important that the players understand the history of the club and where the List A Cup sits within relation to that. 

“It’s something that they learn very quickly during their time on the Academy because we need to make sure that the players are aware of the heritage of the club.

“That understanding was reiterated in 2019 when we lifted the trophy at Lord’s. Many of the players were involved with the Club or know players who played that year and they will have seen what it meant to so many people. Everyone involved is well aware of the relevance of the competition in relation to the Club and the wider community and that’s really important.

“There are nods to List A cricket and the successes within that competition all around the ground, and the support that we get for our home games is a mark of just what it means to our Members and supporters. We’ve got an incredible fanbase and I’ve always been overwhelmed by the support that we’ve received in the 50-over competition over the last few years. The fans are a vital cog in the machine. To know that we’ve got such great support out there really does lift the players. I also feel that this group of players deserves that support. I’ve seen how hard they’ve all worked, I know how much this means to them and every single one of them is desperate to perform.

“The mood in the camp is really good and everyone’s excited about the competition and the opportunities that lie ahead over the next few weeks. The benefits of exposure to First XI cricket for some of these players is there to be seen. The positive effect of playing First Team cricket for an extended period of time in front of big crowds is something that can’t be overlooked. You can’t replicate it in any other way and it’s so beneficial to those players who are trying to break into the First XI. James Rew is a great example of that and so is Andy Umeed, who jump started his Somerset career with outstanding performances in the One Day Cup. We have seen players do well in this competition and then go on to flourish in other formats.

“It can be difficult when you lose so many players, both on the field and in the dressing room, but we have good squad depth, and it gives players the chance to fill those gaps both on and off the field. Being without a number of players will never be an excuse. It’s simply the reality of the situation that we are in. It goes to show how well the Club develops talent. We know the situation that we will be in and we’re still able to field a very talented side who I believe can compete in this competition.”