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CRICKET ROADSHOWS

Week 17 Preview - 30 Aug, Lord's Roadshow focuses on C&G Trophy final

Attention turns back to the domestic game this weekend as the Cricket Roadshow comes live from Lord's where holders Somerset will be taking on Yorkshire in the C&G Trophy final.

The traditional showpiece final has been brought forward this year – previously it was played after the last Test of the summer – but it still remains one of the highlights of the domestic season as thousands of fans head for a celebratory day out at Lord's.

Last year Somerset triumphed over Leicestershire to cap an excellent one-day season for the west-country team and they'll be doubly determined to hang on to their crown when they meet up with Yorkshire on Saturday.

Much of the pre-match hype has so far centred on Somerset's two England players with Andrew Caddick still finding his feet (and bowling rhythm) after a lengthy lay-off and Marcus Trescothick giving himself as long as possible before deciding if his fractured thumb has healed sufficiently.

But while the international duo understandably attract the main press focus it is one of Somerset's emerging young talents, Ian Blackwell, who's been proving a real match-winner in the C&G this year, as Adam Darke found out during a day out with the robust all-rounder at Blackpool pleasure beach.

The hard-hitting 24-year-old has been quietly building his one-day reputation over the past couple of seasons and his form this year has been instrumental to Somerset's success. The left-hander averages 52 in C&G Trophy this season and hit a match-winning 86 off 53 balls in Somerset's thrilling semi-final victory against Kent.

He's also been widely tipped for further honours by Channel 4 commentator and former Somerset coach Dermot Reeve, who believes Blackwell's uncomplicated batting and tidy left-arm spin could offer England another alternative in their World Cup squad.

Elsewhere on the Saturday morning programme England skipper Nasser Hussain reflects on his team's innings defeat at Headingley, Mark Nicholas and company look forward to the series decider at The Oval and musical accompaniment comes from those west country legends The Wurzels.

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