Somerset offer Stiff an extended contract

Somerset are to extend fast bowler David Stiff's contract until the end of the season.

The former Yorkshire and Kent paceman, pictured, has played in two Championship games on a short-term deal and has improved steadily over the course of his 64 overs so far.

David Stiff in action for Somerset against Durham

Stiff, 24, was under contract until the end of this month.

Somerset CCC Director of cricket Brian Rose said: "We are going to extend his contract. He has shown enough in the practice matches and in the two first class games to demonstrate the potential he has but at the end of the day he has to realise that.

"We are making quite good progress with him and he has accepted our offer to give him until the end of the season.

"He has to find accuracy and consistency but we will do all we can to help him to do that."

Stiff's bowling has been needed because Andrew Caddick is yet to send down a ball in anger this season.

The 40-year-old has had injections in his back/neck area in a bid to get him ready to play.

Mark Turner, Somerset's other fast bowler, has seen a specialist over a groin problem and the club are awaiting results of that analysis.

Today the Friends Provident Trophy Group B leaders are due to take on Warwickshire at Taunton (10.45am).

Captain Justin Langer could be fit but wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter is a major doubt.

Langer missed Monday's win over Scotland with a throat and chest virus and is recovering.

However, opening batsman Kieswetter has been struck down by the same illness and was confined to bed yesterday.

If Kieswetter does not recover Carl Gazzard will be behind the stumps for his first game of the season. Wes Durston filled in for Langer against Scotland but was not needed to bat or bowl.

Somerset can all but seal their quarter-final place if they beat the Bears and the weather today.

The game will be preceded by the opening of the new Joel Garner Gates by the West Indies legend himself.

Somerset (from): Trescothick, Kieswetter, Hildreth, Langer, de Bruyn, Trego, Suppiah, Durston, Gazzard, Phillips, Thomas, Banks, Willoughby.