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In-form Janeiro Tucker believes he is in some of the best form of his career right now and has targeted another Cup Match century to take him one step closer to becoming the Classic's all-time leading run-getter.

Somerset vice captain Tucker already holds the highest individual score (186 in 2001) and the top average (58.11) of any batsman to play Cup Match.

And, after becoming the first Somerset player to pass 1,000 runs in the classic last season, he has set his sights on Charlie Marshall's record.

Marshall is currently the all-time top scorer in Cup Match with 1,338. Tucker is in third with 1,104.

He needs 40 runs or more to displace St. George's legend Wendell Smith in second spot and at least 225 (over the course of two innings to catch Marshall).

But with 48-year-old Marshall still one of the mainstays of the St George's middle order, Tucker concedes he is unlikely to catch him this year.

"He is always in my sights. I don't know if I could close that gap in one game but if it happens it happens. I'd definitely like to be the leading run getter by the time I quit."

Tucker, who retired from national team duty earlier this year, has no plans to step down as a Somerset player any time soon.

"I don't think I have ever been in this good form coming into Cup Match," he said.

"I'm looking for another century. I feel so confidant right now. I really feel I'm going to get a hundred.

"I'm scoring runs every time I bat, I'm averaging 80, 90, something like that. I think this is one of the best seasons I have ever had."

Tucker, who came just a handful of runs short of reaching his personal target of 1,000 runs before Cup Match, does not see much to fear in the St George's bowling attack.

"What have they got? Just two spinners and two seamers. I thought they would have picked Greg Foggo, he is a tough competitor, I was pleased to see he wasn't in the team, George O'Brien too.

"It looks like they are just trying to bat for the duration of Cup Match."

Tucker believes the main challenge for Somerset will be to play attacking cricket without throwing their wickets away in search of quick runs.

"We'll have to take a look at the wicket and assess our tactics from there. We can't just say we need to score quick runs until we see how the wicket is going to play."[[In-content Ad]]

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