Somerset County Cricket Club has welcomed former England opener Mark Stoneman to its coaching staff as a batting consultant on an initial three-month contract. Stoneman will work closely with Somerset’s batters, aiming to sharpen their skills and elevate the team’s overall performance.
With a career spanning more than 15 years, Stoneman has represented Durham, Surrey, Middlesex, and Hampshire, amassing nearly 20,000 runs across all formats. His wealth of experience at both international and domestic levels makes him an invaluable asset to Somerset.
Upon joining the Cooper Associates County Ground, Stoneman expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m excited to work with the lads and share insights to help them improve on their strengths. My goal is to maximize the potential of this already high-performing group and contribute to Somerset’s continued success.”
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Stoneman also reflected on his transition into coaching: “Cricket has been central to my life since I was four. Over the past few winters, I’ve been honing my coaching skills through individual sessions and working with Middlesex Women and other professional and age-group players. This consultancy represents a fantastic opportunity to advance my coaching journey.”
He emphasized the importance of understanding each player’s unique approach: “Everyone has their own way of doing things. My role is to support players in thriving individually so they perform at their best, which ultimately strengthens the collective batting unit the team depends on.”
Somerset head coach Jason Kerr highlighted the significance of Stoneman’s appointment: “Replacing Shane Burger was a priority, and we are fortunate to have someone of Mark’s caliber step in. His illustrious playing career and coaching experience bring great value. Beyond technique, he will provide mental support and personalized development for our players.”
In recent on-field action, Somerset star Thomas Rew led the Lions to victory with an unbeaten 86, forging a commanding 167-run partnership with Ben Mayes. Rew credited teamwork and strategic play for the success: “We focused on our natural aggressive style and targeted the spinners downwind, which really paid off. Our ethos is to be responsible finishers in the team.”
With Stoneman’s guidance and the commitment of players like Rew, Somerset is poised to strengthen its batting lineup and continue its pursuit of excellence.