"There's this real drive, ambition, belief that there's an opportunity to create history,"

While Somerset have a trophy cabinet bolstered by recent white-ball success, the red-ball crown remains the "holy grail." Not once in the 151 years now of Somerset CCC have they claimed the County Championship – with the elusive prize still at the top of the agenda.

Back-to-back third place finishes have seen the Cidermen come closer. And as Somerset prepares to launch their County Championship campaign today, they do so by jumping straight into the deep end against the defending champions Nottinghamshire.

"There's this real drive, ambition, belief that there's an opportunity to create history," Director of Cricket Andy Hurry says. "We're starting against the current champions to benchmark where we are. It’s about consistency. The Championship isn't won on Friday.

“There's a lot of cricket to play and we've seen historically teams get off to good starts and then find themselves in a relegation battle towards the back end of the year. It's about consistency and that's got to be, you know, the thing that we're really focused on is a consistent performances that allowing us to be really competitive.”

Somerset won’t obviously want to be involved in a relegation scrap and instead will be focusing on success at the top of division one. But have a squad that on paper feels weaker this season than last time out.

Sean Dickson, Josh Davey, Ben Green and Kasey Aldridge have all departed, while there is only one overseas signing contracted so far with Matt Henry not returning this summer.

Josh Shaw from Gloucestershire is the only arrival, and while his career numbers don't scream division one bowler with an average of nearly 40, Hurry is confident in what he can offer, but also the pathway it offers for the talented youngsters to feature.

“He’s got a huge depth of experience,” Hurry said. “He understands the domestic structure, he's obviously got a high level of skill, and he's going to complement that bowling attack, so we're really pleased with that acquisition.

“It's really important that we recognize potential and what our needs are and then obviously players coming into our environment have the opportunity to be exposed to that environment.

“We're always on the hunt for quality overseas players. We're looking for players that can really add value both on the pitch but also off the pitch as well. In Miguel Pretorious, we got someone who we've known for a number of seasons now, we know what he's going to bring to the environment.

“But we also want to give opportunity to players that you know we're investing in offering contracts to as part of a squad. Now we're very proud of the succession plan as succession of players that have come through the system through our pathway.

“We need to create opportunities, we need to find out about these players, and it's getting that balance right. It's about competing right now but it's also about the medium to long-term succession plan as well. And if world class players become available, then obviously our ears will prick up and we'll be aware of that. But at the moment, we're really comfortable where we are.”

Head Coach Jason Kerr addressed the perception of a smaller squad this year, noting it wasn't necessarily a "deliberate ploy" but rather a vote of confidence in the club’s academy.

“I think definitely if there's an injury or two, I think the nature of the first team's going to change drastically,” he said. “Alfie Ogborne had an outstanding preseason coming back from an injury at the back end of last year He's worked incredibly hard through the winter and has put his hand up through preseason, so he's certainly in contention come Friday.”

Another player who there are high hopes for is Thomas Rew. Yet to play a first class time, the "prodigious talent" who is just 18 is available for selection following a stellar U19 World Cup, though the club is working with his parents to ensure his school exams remain the priority.

“Look, he's had an outstanding winter,” Kerr said. I think what's important is he stays grounded keeps his feet firmly on the ground. We are certainly in communication with him and his parents prioritize his exams.

“Technically he's available for selection but I think it's important he concentrates on what is happening at school as he's invested numerous years in that I'm sure from a parents point of you who want that to come to fruition, but he's obviously a prodigious talent.”

Kerr also stressed that Somerset possesses the "best spinner in the country” in Jack Leach

“We've got an incredible bowling attack,” he said. “We got some incredible players from a batting point of view. We've got the best spinner in the country and we want all those classics in the game.

"We want to play exciting cricket and we know historically this is a really good square. We've seen it time and time again where a wicket starts to play a certain way on day one and can change drastically through the period of that four days and a lot of work we've done is mentally preparing ourselves for I guess how we adapt to conditions as we go through the season.

"Leach is a phenomenal bowler and I think that's how we have to look at him. Not that actually he just spins it when it turns. I think one of his best performance was at Trent Bridge years ago. He got six-for-something on a green seamer.

“I think it's really important we see Leach as part of a fantastic bowling attack. He's world class on any surface.”