THE years rolled away when Somerset hosted their annual men’s Former Players Lunch on the opening day of the Yorkshire match.

More than two dozen former players from across the ages met in the Long Room for coffee, catch up with team mates as well as meeting differing generations of players and sharing views on the ‘progress’ of the game!

The group then enjoyed a carvery lunch, ahead of which they filed out onto the pitch for a group photograph..

Following lunch many remained well into the afternoon sharing reminiscences, while others retired to one of the hospitality boxes to continue their conversations and watch the current crop of Somerset batters responding to Yorkshire’s innings total of 162.

Among those who attended this special occasion were two players who first appeared for Somerset in the 1950s, Alan Whitehead and 89 year old Terry Barwell,

There were also two players who were making their first appearance at a Former Players event, Craig Meschede and Joe Tucker, both of whom claimed high profile players for their first victims.

Joe claimed his first wicket in the four day match against West Indies at the County Ground in August 2000 when he had Brian Lara caught by Jamie Cox for 18.

Craig’s first wicket for Somerset was when he had Sachin Tendulkar caught off his bowling by Jos Buttler in a tourists match at Taunton in July 2011 for 26.

David Gurr, the Somerset Former Player co-ordinator said: “ This was another most enjoyable cricketing occasion. It was great to see so many players, including some new faces, who had represented the county over the years coming together, all enjoying themselves.

David went on: “The players love being together and having the opportunity to catch up with former teammates, so we are once again grateful to Somerset CCC for proving us with this opportunity.”