SOMERSET director of cricket Andy Hurry has insisted England’s squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka should have included James Hildreth.

Hildreth passed 1,000 County Championship runs for the seventh time this summer, also scoring three centuries to take his First Class tally to 44.

He remains overlooked by the national selectors, however, and Hurry said: “I am possibly biased but I see James at close quarters day in, day out.

“I know the quality he has and how hard he works.

“I think he should have been in the squad as he would add value on and off the field, particularly given how good a player of spin he is.

“He has a sound technique which would stand him in good stead at international level.

“I am frustrated but James will have to deal with the disappointment, as he has done before. You can never say never.”

The touring squad does include Jack Leach, while four Somerset players - Lewis Gregory, Dom Bess and the Overton twins, Craig and Jamie - have the chance to impress as part of the England Lions squad which will tour the UAE.

“Jack [Leach] has had to overcome challenges through no fault of his own,” Hurry said.

“He had a freak injury batting in the nets and then picked up concussion.
“For him to come back from that and work his way back into the England squad is testament to his character and how resilient he is as a human being.

“He fought his way back to form and demonstrated to us all what he is about.

“The Lions players thoroughly deserve their selection and I’m particularly pleased for Lewis Gregory.

“He has responded really well to the added responsibility of captaincy this season and, if you were to ask the players who they think should be in England contention, a lot would say Lewis.

“He has been diligent in his rehab after last winter’s surgery. He does a lot of extra work that goes unnoticed - he is one of the first in in the mornings and one of the last to leave.”

Read more from Andy Hurry in our Somerset CCC season review inside this Thursday's County Gazette.