SOMERSET fans have their first chance to watch the team at home today when they entertain Warwickshire in the County Championship starting at 11am.

The Cidermen have had a tough start to their 2015 campaign, playing away at Durham where they lost by 48 runs and then at Surrey where they drew.

They have yet to get that first all- important victory under their belts, but this game will be far from easy because Warwickshire are the reigning county champions.

Skipper Marcus Trescothick said: “We have been away for two weeks so this is the first chance for our own supporters to see us and hopefully we will have a good few days here at the County Ground. It will be nice to get ourselves up and running.

“As a group we are doing alright but we just need to try to keep on winning those critical moments and put ourselves into positions of winning games.”

For home fans this will be the first chance to see overseas signing Alviro Petersen and the returning Nick Compton after his successful winter with England.

Tresothick added: “Alviro was brilliant in the last game and this is the first time that locals will have the chance to see him at Taunton. With Nick Compton back with us our batting line up is strong so now we have to deliver over the next four days.”

Director of cricket Dave Nosworthy is under no illusions and said: “We are playing the champions which is always a challenge in its own right so we are looking forward to playing a team that are on a little bit of a high at the moment so it will test our skills.

“They are coming to our home ground so its important that we protect our own venue and make sure that nobody is too comfortable on our turf. It’s going to be two strong teams against each other and hopefully we have got a few plans to ensure that we can finish on top in this one.”

Compton said: “It’s really good to be back at Somerset after travelling around the world for six months. The County Ground looks great and I think that everyone is eager for the first championship match of the season here and we are looking for that elusive win.”

Somerset have selected the following squad: Marcus Trescothick, Jos Buttler, Nick Compton, George Dockrell, James Hildreth, Craig Kieswetter, Steve Kirby, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Alviro Petersen, Alfonso Thomas and Pete Trego.

Next Wednesday the Cidermen play Cardiff MCCU at Taunton Vale in a three day game.