SOMERSET will begin the new County Championship season without the services of both Overton twins, after Jamie picked up a calf injury during a pre-season friendly against Gloucestershire.

Jamie joins brother, Craig in missing the season opener at Durham - which gets underway on Sunday (April 10) - with the latter serving the second of his two-match ban for allegedly using racially offensive language during a Championship match against Sussex last season.

The pair are expected to return for Somerset's trip to Surrey on April 24.

Despite admitting that the wet weather has hampered preparations, both director of cricket, Matt Maynard and captain, Chris Rogers insist Somerset are in good shape ahead of their trip to the North East.

Matt Maynard said: “Durham on their own ground is always going to be a tough start for us.

"They know their own conditions and they know how the wicket plays and their batsmen and bowlers will adapt accordingly.

“However we have got some quality players in our ranks and I think it is a mental switch rather than a physical one, so will discuss that with the lads.

“I have been pretty pleased with the way that they have gone during the pre-season matches that we have played and Durham will be a good measure for us."

Chris Rogers said: "I think we can take a lot of positive things from our warm-up matches and all of the players are buying into what the management and leadership want and that is good, but the game against at Chester-le-Street will be another step up, because they are a very good side.

“As a team we are travelling alright, although we probably would have liked to have been outside a little bit more, particularly the batsmen who would have liked more time out in the middle.

But pre-season in England you have just got to find a way through - a lot of the counties will be like this so there will be no excuse from us.”