FEATURE: 'Last season was frustrating, but I became more focused as a result' - Jack Leach on injuries, aspirations and making up for lost time

The left-arm spinner, who is currently recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back, missed much of last season with a fractured skull and concussion, after fainting and hitting his head while at home.

But the 24-year-old is recovering well from his latest setback – sustained while playing Grade cricket in Perth - and says he is ‘buzzing’ to get the new season underway.

“Things are all going well for me and I am making good progress working through my rehab programme, with the club physio Jamie Thorpe,” said Leach.

“My body is feeling good and a lot stronger. Last week I started batting again and I have been doing some fielding drills, catching and throwing and I haven’t felt any pain.

“Now I am feeling very strong and can’t wait to get bowling again, which will be when we are out at Desert Springs in a couple of weeks.

“When we return I will have another scan and then we should be good to go and I am on course for the new season - depending on selection.

“I feel I will be ready and I am really looking forward to it.”

“I am really buzzing now and aim to carry on where I left off at the end of last season.

“2015 was a bit frustrating for me, having to miss out early on after hitting my head, but I became even more focused on my cricket as a result of that.

“I feel that for the last three years, I have missed out on playing a full season of cricket and I feel that 2016 has got the potential for me to put that right.

“There is no overseas spinner and if I am bowling well and if the wickets are spin friendly, there is a real chance for me to play a lot more of the first class games.”

CELEBRATIONS: Jack Leach wheels away after taking one of 11 wickets against Warwickshire in September.

Leach was back to his best towards the end of last season, finishing with 11 wickets in the match to lead his side to a 17-run win over Warwickshire at Taunton.

He took 4-74 to go with his first innings' 7-106 as the Bears were bowled out for 207 – and the Taunton-born spinner believes his game has ‘stepped up another level’ over the winter months.

“When I came back (last season), I played in the 50 over games and then the Championship; that was all a very positive experience, so I want more of that.

“After that, Perth was great and I feel my game has stepped up another level and I am excited to go out and show that to people.

“I have got aspirations to play at a higher level as well and this is an exciting time to be a young spinner in England.

“As a player you take one game at a time and try to do your best, but your goal has to be to play for your country.

“I need to keep on bowling and keep learning and then we will see where I can go with my game.

“I am very excited but need to take it one day at a time and get there slowly so when that chance comes I will make the most of it.”

A disappointing 2015 campaign saw a young Somerset side briefly flirt with the Division One relegation spots, before recovering to secure a mid-table finish – and Leach believes it is now time for the county’s homegrown youngsters to step up and help fire Somerset to silverware.

“I think that we have got a good blend of youth and experience in the side this season and now that Matt has been here a year already, everything feels more settled this time round.

“The young guys who have grown up through the club have matured and they now feel very much part of the team, and hopefully we can build upon that.

“As a player you want to win every game and as a local boy, I want Somerset - the team that I have watched since I was very young - to win the championship, the one day competition and the T20. That’s the aim.

“There are now quite a few local lads in the team and they all feel the same.

“I dream about winning the County Championship for Somerset with people like Tom Abell, Lewis Gregory and the Overtons alongside me - all of those guys who have grown up wanting that too.

“We have a good team and the great thing about the start of the season is that we are all begin without any points, and if you get on a good run then it can happen.”

“There are some good teams out there and it’s going to be tough, but success for Somerset is something we all want and we are prepared to work hard together to make it happen.”

Somerset begin their 2016 County Championship campaign at Durham on Sunday, April 10, before welcoming Combined Universities to Taunton on Sunday, April 17.