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Rogers sensing success at Somerset

Veteran opening batsman will take the wheel in Taunton in place of a club legend

Chris Rogers will lead a Somerset side brimming with exciting young talent after taking over the captaincy from Marcus Trescothick.

Trescothick stood down as Somerset skipper yesterday, ending a six-year tenure in the role, with Rogers named as his successor in the four-day game, while Jim Allenby will take the reins in white-ball cricket. 

Rogers heads to Taunton after four years with Lord's-based county Middlesex, admitting the lure of playing with some of the finest young players in the country, and teaming up Trescothick, was too hard to resist.

"I've played against Somerset over a number of years and have always felt they've had a lot of very good players," Rogers told cricket.com.au.

"But what's been very attractive is a few of the younger guys have been stepping up and almost becoming the most important players in the side.

"That makes such a difference and that's what sides need to be successful.

"It was an attractive proposition because I believe there will be some success at the club."

Trescothick, who first played for Somerset in 1993, will play on after turning 40 in December.

"I must admit I'm really looking forward to playing with Marcus," Rogers, 38, added.

"I'll take inspiration from him.

"I'll be playing a guy who's actually older than me which is a bit of a rarity these days.

"That was another attractive quality of going to Somerset.

"To be able to play with someone who you're able to learn from, even at my age, is so enticing.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him." 

WATCH: Rogers registers Lord's ton

Rogers will be the fourth Australian to captain at the County Ground in first-class cricket, following Sammy Woods, Jamie Cox and Justin Langer, who spent three seasons at the helm from 2007.

Somerset have never won the County Championship, falling agonisingly close in 2010, Trescothick's first season in charge, when they tied on points with Nottinghamshire who were awarded the trophy for having won more matches.

But Rogers says his squad has the necessary blend of youth and experience to challenge for the title in 2016.

"A balanced side is so important," Rogers said when asked what it takes to win the Championship.

"You have to have a good mix of senior players and younger players, which you do (at Somerset).

"The likes of (senior players) Marcus Trescothic, Peter Trego, Jim Allenby.

"Then you have the younger guys like Tom Ablell and Lewis Gregory.

"There's a lot to like about the squad, it's just about everyone contributing consistently over a season and making sure you compete every day.

"To win a competition you can't have too many off games. It's just about fighting and giving everything when you go out there."