Somerset may consider sending Shoaib Bashir out on loan

Jason Kerr stated that playing two spinners is unlikely, but he is open to assisting Bashir in his development.

Somerset's head coach has responded to Brendon McCullum's challenge to give game time to England's young spinners. He suggested that Shoaib Bashir could be allowed to go out on loan.

Bashir and Tom Hartley have thrived in India despite limited experience in the county game. McCullum said earlier this week that it would be 'slightly mad' if they did not get increased opportunities during the coming season.

Although McCullum expressed his desire to see Bashir and Jack Leach bowling together at Somerset, Jason Kerr stated that this scenario is unlikely during the start of the County Championship in spring conditions that typically favour seam bowling.

Bashir joined Somerset at the beginning of last summer after impressing for the 2nd XI. He played six times in the Championship, taking 10 wickets at 67.00. Since then, he has played two Tests for England, where he has taken more wickets. However, he is expected to be behind Leach, England's senior spinner, in the pecking order. Leach returned home from the tour of India with a knee injury.

A comparable situation occurred in Somerset a few years ago when Dom Bess briefly replaced Leach as England's spinner. Bess was loaned to Yorkshire before making a permanent move in 2021.

With Leach currently recovering from knee surgery, Bashir may have an opportunity to establish himself at the beginning of the county season. But Kerr has indicated that Leach will be the focus of his plans once he becomes fit:

"It's important we see both of the guys bowling first but we also look at what Leachy has done for club and country over the years. We always want competition for places and we want it to be healthy. Nobody has the right to start but Jack has got a lot of experience and, from my side, that counts for a lot.”