Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Somerset have a few options for Headingley
CRAIG Overton is in contention for a return to Somerset’s lineup as their bid for a first-ever Specsavers County Championship title continues against Yorkshire at Headingley from today.
And there is also likely to be a recall to the team for Jack Brooks against the club he moved south from last winter.
Somerset’s seventh win in nine Championship games this season, against Nottinghamshire at Taunton this week, means they have a 15point lead at the top of Division One.
But there have to be at least two team changes for the Yorkshire game, with all-rounder Lewis Gregory and left-arm spinner Jack Leach due to be away with the England Lions.
Overton’s recovery from a groin problem may prove timely, while Brooks could well come back into the side on familiar territory.
Head coach Jason Kerr said: “One of the exciting things about our squad now is that we have a lot of depth. We beat Notts with three of our seamers, Craig Overton, Jack Brooks and Josh Davey, not playing, so we have options for Headingley.
“Craig is progressing really well. He has bowled quite a lot of overs this week and will certainly travel with us to Yorkshire.
“We have been careful with him because we don’t want to lose him for a long period. But if he tells me he is ready and our medical team are happy he will be in our XI.
“Brooksy has been unfortunate in not being in the side for the last couple of games and if he gets the opportunity, I am sure he will look forward to making the most of it.
“It’s a ground he knows really well
and he certainly knows how to bowl there, so it would probably be a good place for him to come back in.”
The match will see Dom Bess face the county he joined on loan earlier this season, a move that has reignited his career. Indeed, Bess will return to Yorkshire to play in the T20 Blast later this summer.
“Dom needed to be playing cricket.” said Kerr. “He gained confidence at Yorkshire and we have reaped the benefit because he has done well with bat and ball since returning.”
Bess claimed seven wickets and made a crucial first-innings halfcentury in the 132-run victory over Notts, which further fuelled belief that this could be the year Somerset finally win the Championship.
The match drew crowds of between 2,000 and 3,000 on the first two days, swelling the coffers in a season, which has already seen Kerr’s men lift the Royal London One-Day Cup.
He declines to look too far ahead, but is happy to admit: “We are a really confident group at the moment and, if we continue to concentrate on the things we can control, we have the ability to get our rewards.”
Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said of the upcoming Bess loan: “This agreement with Yorkshire will provide us with the opportunity to see how Dom performs in this format within the intensity of the first XI arena.
“We wish him well and look forward to welcoming him back in time for our next Championship match.”