SOMERSET are in as good a place as they can possibly be, said batting coach Shane Burger before the squad flew to Abu Dhabi for a pre season training camp.

“The winter training has been in two halves. The first part the boys focussed on skills and technique and the back half has been more tactical..“

Shane added: “The head coach Jason Kerr told the group earlier this week that this was one of the best winters that he had been involved in from a training perspective.

“What I have really loved is that there has been real autonomy given us to go ahead and nail the things that we think are going to be important to us. Last year we got so close and we believe that a lot of the stuff we have done this winter will get us that little bit closer and hopefully cross that line.

“The work that has been done has been brilliant when you look at the things that the coaches have done, and the way that the players have committed to that work has been phenomenal.”“Our job is to make sure that the team is performing which for me means making sure that the squad are in the best possible place that they can be. It’s never a guarantee but all we can do is to create the best environment and the best opportunities for the players to go out and perform and we really feel that we have done that.”

Having been so close to winning all three trophies last year how did Shane think the players would react in 2025. “I’d be very surprised if we don’t see the players come back this season and want to put things right. A lot of our training this winter has focussed on the tactical and technical side of things but also the mental side? “