Caddick and Cox: A vital partnership

Keith Parsons, a Taunton boy through-and-through, was a huge star within a galaxy of performers.

Somerset were stumbling slightly at 176-5 and up stepped Parsons with his willow at the ready.

A few overs and several boundaries later, Somerset had reached 271 with Parsons left unbeaten on 60.

And not satisfied with that, he chipped in with a couple of wickets.

The man-of-the-match was modest in victory.

"It's been a long time coming at Somerset," Parsons said.

"It's fantastic to win a trophy and to be part of it is just awesome."

The Parsons family are renowned for their contributions at the County Ground in Taunton.

Cox has proved an inspired choice as skipper

Keith has an identical brother called Kevin, who was part of the Somerset staff between 1992-1994 and their father played six seasons for the 2nd XI.

In years to come, maybe the name Parsons will be uttered in the same breath as the likes of Botham, Richards and Garner.

With the help of these three legends, Somerset lifted four trophies in four glorious rose-tinted years.

Yes, the County Championship continues to elude them after 110 years of toil.

But the feeling is growing that the good days could be back again.

Jones has shone for Somerset

He weighed in with a more than handy 44 at Lord's, but runs, though, are only one half of what the captain has to offer.

There were furrowed brows when Cox was presented to the local press before the 1998 season.

Unassuming in looks and from an unfashionable state - Tasmania - surely this some time bank employee was not the man to lead the club to success.

He has inspired others around him - six other batsman have contributed a total of nine championship centuries between them.

But the real triumph of Cox and Kevin Shine, the first-team coach, has been to inspire players who were under-achieving at other counties.

Former Derbyshire player Ian Blackwell has been a revelation with the bat, scoring three championship centuries.

And there's Keith Dutch, released by Middlesex last season.

He scored his maiden first-class century against Essex this year and he too picked up vital wickets against Leicestershire at Lord's.

Blackwell's batting has blossomed at Taunton

Then there is Richard Johnson - another ex-Middlesex man and Steffan Jones. They too battled hard to break through Leicestershire's defence.

Some have also questioned Somerset's potential with the continued absence of Andy Caddick.

The last time Somerset had a full season from Caddick, in 1998, he took 105 championship wickets.

Last year, he managed three games between international commitments and had two 10-wicket hauls in matches that Somerset won.

Bizarrely, Caddick was the only bowler not to claim a wicket in Saturday's final but his efficiency did nothing but harm to his opponent's cause.

Lifting the championship trophy may, for the time being, be a little unrealistic.

But having been in the wilderness for 18 long years, the Somerset fans will certainly savour the moment enjoyed in north London at the weekend.