CALUM Haggett, who hails from Shapwick and played up through the Somerset age groups and joined the Academy before departing for Kent CCC in 2013, has returned to his roots and is now back working as a coach with the EPP and Academy cricketers.

“It’s been good to be back here at the Centre of Excellence where I started my cricketing journey 24 years ago as a 10 year old. I’m enjoying being in Somerset with my family and close friends and working in a cricketing environment.”

Calum went on: “ I remember coming to my first trial and that was the start of the cricketing journey that I went on and I have loved every minute of it.”

The tall right arm fast medium bowler and left hand better came through the Somerset Academy at the same time as Jos Buttler, Lewis Gregory, Anya Shrubsole and Jack Leach.

“There were some really good cricketers in that group and some of them have gone on to do some amazing things in cricket and its great to see.”

Calum played for Kent between 2013 and 2020 and four year ago moved back to live locally and played cricket for Devon as well as for Shapwick and Polden, but now he is focussing his attention on coaching the next generation.

“As much as I loved playing for Kent It would have been nice to have played here fpr Somerset, but it wasn’t meant to be and there were some good players coming through who were better than me.”

One game that he did play for Kent in at Taunton was in the T20 match at the end of May 2015 when Chris Gayle blasted his unbeaten 151 off 62 balls which included 15 sixes.“ All I will say about that is that I had Chris Gayle dropped on 40 at cow corner.”