County Championship preview: Somerset

2011 in a nutshell A case of never the bride once more for Somerset as the domestic game's nearly men fell short in the finals of both one-day competitions. At times excellent in the championship, a little more consistency and they would have been genuine title contenders How they finished County Championship 4th in Division One CB40 Lost in final Friends Life t20 Lost in final What they'll be playing in this season LV County Championship Division One, CB40 Group B, Friends Life t20 Midlands/Wales/West Group Captain Marcus Trescothick Director of cricket/coach Brian Rose/Andy Hurry Ins None Outs Charl Willoughby (released) Overseas players Vernon Philander (SA), Albie Morkel (SA) - t20, Chris Gayle - t20 Key player Philander is an excellent signing and should make a massive impact at Taunton, and a lot is expected of Morkel and Gayle in the t20. Without a doubt Trescothick is the main man and his volume of runs will help determine Somerset's success How will they get on this season? Philander looks like the shrewdest move of the season. Since the deal was agreed last November, Philander has played seven Tests for South Africa and taken 51 wickets at an average of 14.15 each. Somerset have him for two months, and eight matches, and that spell could determine whether they can finally win the Championship. Without him, their bowling attack may struggle, especially now that Charl Willoughby has left. The batting, from Trescothick down, should look after itself, but the side remains curiously prone to dramatic collapses