Recent rumours had Maybury linked to National Sports Club, who have just been readmitted to the league, but the stylish all-rounder revealed that he will remain at Somerset.

"That's where I've been born and bred...I can't go anywhere else,'' he said. "The situation at Nationals was nice, where someone really wanted me.

"I met with them and talked and their offer was very interesting, but in the end my heart won out.'' Nevertheless, Maybury will this year carry the tag of former skipper, with the west end club having officially named Charles Swan as the team's new leader.

Swan, a medium-pace bowler, appeared at the mid-summer spectacle as a reserve in 1993, earning the spot largely through his bagging of four wickets for 44 runs during the final trial match.

The 25-year-old follows in the footsteps of his father, Charles, Sr., in captaining Somerset, while older brother, James, who remains active, was once a vice-captain.

"I think that at this stage (of my career) I should have no problem playing under Charles,'' continued Maybury. "He and I are good friends and have talked about different things with regard to this season and I feel we're in synch with one another.

"This year is for Perry Maybury. I want the team to do well along with myself and I've set goals which I would like to achieve.'' And as for Cup Match... "As long as I continue to play cricket and play well I would like to play Cup Match and I would also like to represent my country as well.'' For Swan there is no guarantee of his maintaining his status for Cup Match, with secretary Reginald Pearman stating that the club has only selected a "club captain''.

"(But) it doesn't necessarily mean that he won't be our Cup Match skipper,'' Pearman was quick to note.

"We're in a process of rebuilding and have several ideas, as to how to improve, that we're looking at.'' Somerset finished 11th last year in the league and originally the captaincy.

They have lost promising batsman Davon Wade and Dwight Basden to Willow Cuts.

PERRY MAYBURY -- Had talks with Nationals.