Somerset is set to include Shoaib Bashir in their second match of the County Championship season after he was left out of last week's opener. The club announced the signing of South African seamer Michael Pretorius on Tuesday but has hinted that Bashir will be part of their squad for Friday's clash with Surrey.
Somerset captain Lewis Gregory said of Bashir after the final day of their rain-affected draw with Kent:
"He would have come in handy today. We made the decision to go with an extra seamer... I'm not sure it would have made a huge difference, but yeah, he definitely would have been nice to have."
Bashir looks set for a recall to The Oval, with Jack Leach unlikely to play this month following knee surgery.
England Test coach Brendon McCullum said it would be "a bit mad" if Bashir and fellow opener Tom Hartley were not given first-team opportunities by their county this season after their success in India earlier this year, and Somerset has said they are open to considering a loan move for Bashir if Leach is available again.
Somerset were also without Craig Overton at Canterbury, who Gregory said was "not too far away" from full fitness after undergoing back surgery in November, but are hoping to have new overseas signing Pretorius available for Friday's game at The Oval. He replaces the injured Will Sutherland and has signed for at least six Championship matches.