SOMERSET director of cricket Andy Hurry believes his squad have what it takes to win this year’s County Championship.

Speaking at a press conference as part of the club’s annual press day yesterday (Wednesday), Hurry was asked what his aims were in this year’s Championship.

“To win it,” he replied.

“I’m no fool. One of the reasons I came back was because of the talent within the dressing room - we have a great mix of senior players and ambitious young players.

“The fundamental difference since I was last here is the experiences they have had in that time.

“Since I left they have come very close to winning the Championship, which is a very powerful experience, and then battled at the other end of the table, which is another valuable experience.”

Club captain Tom Abell, though perhaps less bold in his optimism, was also confident a good season is on the horizon.

He said: “There is a great feeling around the place but there often is at this time of year.

“We just have to make sure we are ready to execute our skills come April 20.

“Our bar is set very high and we’ll be going into every game looking to win it.

“Last year was a massive learning curve. The lads were very patient with me and we have a team that really cares about Somerset County Cricket Club.”

Abell’s teammate Lewis Gregory, present in his new role as T20 captain, is another to be targeting silverware.

“The captaincy is a huge honour and an exciting challenge,” he said.

“I like to be positive and I will be encouraging the lads to play aggressive, competitive cricket - hopefully with that we will win games and end up with some silverware.

“I have a really good relationship with Tom [Abell]. We are not the most experienced pair of captains, but there is a lot of experience for us to tap into in the dressing room and I’m sure we will learn from each other.

“We have a talented bunch and the challenge for the young players is to put pressure on the senior ones - if they score runs in second team cricket there will be opportunities for them.”

The press conference also saw Somerset’s new chief executive, Andrew Cornish, face the media for the first time.

He said: “It has been my dream to run a cricket club and what better one to run - this is, for me, the best county set up in the country.

“What has shone through in my first week has been the professionalism and the desire to win trophies.

“Cricket faces several challenges but we will ensure Somerset have a voice and are heard at the top table.

“I have already heard plenty from members and I would like to hear more.

“People haven’t been backwards in coming forwards, which I like, and I have a desire for further input and for everyone to be able to put their views across.”

When asked about the lack of upcoming international cricket in Taunton, Cornish said: “My focus so far has been getting to know Somerset County Cricket Club.

“I have a meeting next week with other chief executives and the ECB when I will be able to turn my attentions towards other challenges.

“We have something very good now - a sell-out crowd here can sound like 40,000 - and it’s important to focus on that.

“If international cricket is the right thing to do we will address that. If it doesn’t happen it’s not the end of the world, but if it does it will be because we want it to.”