SOMERSET head coach Jason Kerr insists “there is no frustration on my side” after Dom Bess’ comments before the England Lions tour.

Bess told the Press Association he would “potentially” consider a move away from Taunton after becoming “frustrated” by a lack of game time in the second half of last season.

In response, Kerr said: “Things can get misconstrued.

“Dom is very passionate and ambitious but he must also appreciate that he has to be patient and earn the right to play.

“He has a great opportunity at the moment with the England Lions and he will hopefully retain his place for their trip to India after Christmas, which would be a valuable experience for him.

“There is certainly no frustration from my side regarding Dom.”

Bess was in good form for the Lions in Thursday's third one-day match against Pakistan A, taking 3-35 in 10 overs as the tourists won by 22 runs to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Lewis Gregory, who is captaining the side, scored 40 from number six in the Lions total of 245 all out before taking 2-38 in his 10 overs, while Jamie Overton claimed 1-56 from his 10 after earlier striking 12 from just four balls.

Kerr said: “I’m delighted Lewis’ leadership skills are being recognised. He captained our T20 side brilliantly this year.”

Somerset's coach was also understandably delighted for Jack Leach after the spinner's exploits in Sri Lanka, where he took 18 wickets to help England record a 3-0 whitewash.

The left-armer's performances provide further vindication for Somerset's policy of encouraging turning wickets, thereby preparing players for conditions such as those in Sri Lanka, but Kerr was keen to emphasise there was more to Leach's success than that.

"Jack has proved he is a quality bowler on all surfaces," Kerr said.

"One of his best performances for us was a five-fer at Headingley in 2016 when there was little assistance for apin.

"We have backed him to deliver his skills and he has consistently produced the goods.

"He had a tough summer at times but he's come back and really seized his opportunity.

"Everyone at the club is really pleased for him."

Leach will be granted some well deserved time off before linking up with Somerset's pre-season training programme, which has been underway since the start of November.

"It is mainly conditioning work at the moment," Kerr said.

"Jack Brooks has settled in brilliantly - it feels like he's part of the family already."

The arrivals of Brooks and Azhar Ali, who will be returning to Somerset in 2019, signal the end of Somerset's recruitment for the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup, though the search for T20 overseas players continues.

"I'm really excited we have secured a player of Azhar's calibre," Kerr said.

"It's good for continuity - Azhar added a lot on the field last year and also, crucially, really bought in to the culture we are trying to develop here."

Paceman Josh Davey, meanwhile, has penned a contract extension until the end of the 2020 season.

The Scotland seamer took 34 Championship wickets at 25.35 in 2018.

In other cricketing news, the ECB have announced the proposed playing regulations for 'The 100', the new competition set to begin in 2020.

Each innings is to be 100 balls and there is to be a change of end after every 10 balls, with an individual bowler able to deliver either five or 10 consecutive balls with a maximum of 20 per game.