ONE Somerset player who has been very much to the fore in the Ciderman’s opening matches in the County Championship is young all rounder Kasey Aldridge, writes Richard Walsh.

The 23 year old, who hails from the Chew Valley, grew up playing through the Somerset age groups and after spending two years on the Potential Somerset Player Programme joined the Academy in 2018, following which he signed a full time professional contract with the club.

Kasey made his debut for the Second XI in 2019 and also represented England Under 19s on a number of occasions, both at home and overseas. He made his first team debut in July 2019 when he came in as a replacement for Craig Overton when he was called up for England duty and later in the month made his List A debut for Somerset.

Since then his career has continued to flourish and in 2023 the six feet three inch tall right arm fast medium bowler and right handed batter scored 451 first class runs in the eight championship matches he played which included his maiden century against Lancashire and claimed 16 wickets.

His first class career figures for Somerset up until the end of 2023 have seen him score a total of 579 runs at an average of 27.57 and claim 39 wickets at 40 runs apiece.

In addition, last winter Kasey went on the England Lions tour to India.

The young all rounder also played a key part in the Cidermen’s successful Vitality Blast campaign last summer and claimed a crucial catch and bowled two overs in the final at Edgbaston- a day that will remain long in his memory.

Before the start of this season Kasey said: “I want to carry on with what I did batting last year and claim a few more wickets and try to influence games.

He added: “I think I'm getting to an age now when I have to start performing and putting the other teams under pressure.”

Kasey is a Somerset lad through and through and like all of the other members of the squad would like nothing more than to be part of the team that brings the County Championship trophy back to Taunton.

In Somerset’s opening games, Kasey has been prominent with both bat and bowl and will be a key player as Somerset chase honours providing he can steer clear of injury.