Tom Banton is keen to cement his place in Somerset’s County Championship squad – Getty Images/Naomi Baker Life came fast for Tom Banton. First with Somerset, then England, and then a large number of franchises around the world. “If you look back at 2019, I started the year in the second team and I thought, … Read more
Interior designer and former pop star Pearl Lowe is renting out her Somerset mansion to holidaymakers to cover the ‘excessive’ energy bills that come with owning a sprawling historic home. For Wiltshire-based therapist Juno Shears, the income from staycationers occupying her five-bedroom former hunting lodge will, she hopes, offset the cost of a family holiday … Read more
Somerset’s James Rew sees himself as more of an Alastair Cook type than a reckless Bazballer – Harry Trump/Getty Images When James Rew was growing up, he remembers: “Jos Butler was probably my big idol.” Rew seamlessly followed Buttler’s path from King’s College, Taunton to Somerset’s wicketkeeper-batsman; he could eventually follow Buttler into international cricket … Read more
Somerset’s James Rew sees himself as more of an Alastair Cook type than a reckless Bazballer – Harry Trump/Getty Images When James Rew was growing up, he remembers: “Jos Butler was probably my big idol.” Rew seamlessly followed Buttler’s path from King’s College, Taunton to Somerset’s wicketkeeper-batsman; he could eventually follow Buttler into international cricket … Read more
Shoaib Bashir was one of the few shining lights in a disappointing series for England – AP/Ajit Solanki At Wells Cathedral School Ground in August 2022, Berkshire U18s faced Somerset U18s, securing a surprise eight-wicket victory. The victory was achieved by the five for 26, won by a tall 18-year-old off-spinner: Shoaib Bashir. “He was … Read more
(Sue Vaughton photography) Some stories involve a journey from A to B, and others involve leaving Hong Kong, honking around Robbie Williams’ pile in Wiltshire, 600 sheep and nights in the pub having fun with maggots. This isn’t one of those trips from A to B. But it does explain how an unsung Somerset town … Read more
Shoaib Bashir received a shock call-up for England’s tour of India after impressing head coach Brendon McCullum while playing for the Lions – Shutterstock/Gavin Ellis Shoaib Bashir’s selection in the England Test squad for India surprised everyone, including the young spinner. It didn’t occur to Bashir that a missed call with a New Zealand area … Read more