SOMERSET will make their final preparations for the 2006 season in South Africa where they will play in a series of warm-up games.

The whole squad, with the exception of Ian Blackwell and Marcus Trescothick, who will both be away on England duty, will fly out to Cape Town on March 25.

During their two week stay, Somerset will play one-day matches against Western Province Academy at Claremont on March 28, Nottinghamshire at Belleville on March 31, Western Province on April 2, and Boland at Paarl on April 6.

They will also play a two-day game against a Combined Western Province and Boland Academy XI at Belleville on April 4 and 5.

For more Somerset CCC news see this week's County Gazette.