Somerset CCC can win the first county championship title in the club's history next year with more consistent run-scoring in close matches.

That's the verdict of departed skipper Justin Langer, who has pinpointed the need to dominate opposition fast bowlers as the key to narrowing the gap between this year's unbeaten champions Durham and third-placed Somerset.

"Quite frankly, there is little fun in facing fast bowling," Langer said.

"For years I had to say I loved facing the fastest of them, but that was more a sign of bravado and strategy than the truth.

"Facing the quickest is tough. When the fast bowlers have the wind at their backs they usually turn into ugly playground bullies.

"Their confidence grows and you feel like a battered boxer who is getting pummelled on the ropes.

"When this happens you have two choices. You can either get up and fight – or shrivel and get hurt, or even worse, get out.

"Ultimately, the trick is to be courageous and see the ball out of the bowler's hand.

"Believe it or not, if the best players see the ball released from the hand, batting becomes like slow motion. At the highest level the players' bodies are like computers."

Langer believes James Hildreth, who he branded "an extraordinary talent", will have a point to prove next season.

The England hopeful cracked 934 championship runs last season at an average of 44.47 – including a career high 303 not out against Warwickshire which was recorded as the earliest triple century in an English summer – but Langer expects Hildreth to raise the bar next time around.

"James can average 60-70, and when he starts doing that the England selectors won't be able to ignore him," he said.

"He's already proved his ability, now its just about mental application."