Jack Leach back in Somerset squad after injury absence

Somerset will welcome back England spinner Jack Leach for their County Championship fixture against Kent, starting at the County Ground on Friday.

The 32-year-old has been plagued by injury issues over the last 12 months and was forced to have surgery after suffering a knee injury during England’s first Test of the India series back in February.

That came off the back of missing the Ashes series with Australia last summer, but Leach is back and available and likely to be part of the team that looks to build on a three-wicket win against Essex last time out.

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said: “To get that first win of the season last time out was huge for the group. We’d played some really good cricket without getting over the line, so to do it in the manner that we did was very pleasing. We’ve had a week’s break, so hopefully that won’t affect the momentum too much and we will be looking to build on that Essex result this weekend.

“Confidence is really high at the moment and we’re looking forward to the challenge that Kent will provide. Every team in this division is strong and anyone can beat anyone on their day. We will pay Kent the respect that they deserve, but we will be concentrating on what we do and if we do that well hopefully we will get that second win.

“Having Leachy back in the squad is a big boost for the group, but also for him. It’s been a tough road back for him and he’s worked incredibly hard. He’s an infectious character and he’s got vast experience. He’s incredibly well respected and we saw today in practice that he’s always got time for people. We’re all looking forward to seeing him back in a Somerset shirt and enjoying his cricket, and we’ll make a decision on whether that is this weekend tomorrow.”

While Leach’s return to action is a boost for Somerset, they are still without Tom Abell (hamstring) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who is playing in the IPL.

Somerset: Lewis Gregory, Sean Dickson, Matt Renshaw, Tom Lammonby, Andy Umeed, Tom Banton, James Rew, Craig Overton, Josh Davey, Migael Pretorius, Kasey Aldridge, Jake Ball, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.