Somerset head coach explains Shoaib Bashir selection decision

Bashir was in the headlines this winter, taking 17 wickets at 33.35 in three Tests against India, but wasn't included in Somerset's XI to face Kent

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr has explained why Shoaib Bashir was left out of the XI to face Kent, stating his selection decision was influenced by the weather.

Bashir has been in the headlines throughout the winter after impressing during his debut Test series.

The 20-year-old, who had only played six first-class matches heading into 2024, took 17 wickets at 33.35 in three Tests against India.

^{Bashir made his Test debut this winter [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Despite being included in Somerset's 13-strong squad for their County Championship opener, he didn't make the XI after no play was possible on day one in Canterbury.

Kerr did, however, add that Bashir would likely have played had the match started on time.

"This wicket has been under the covers for the last week and it's rained for the last two days pretty much non-stop, so there's a huge amount of moisture," Kerr said.

"With it being a shortened game, we didn't feel that Bash was going to bowl overs. Due to us being slow with the over rate and the wind being a factor, blowing the bails off, we fell behind, so we needed to use Lewis [Goldsworthy] and Matt Renshaw to accelerate that.

"He was available for selection and I think if it had been a four-day game, there's a good chance he would have played."

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