JASON Kerr believes “it will be an emotional day” as Somerset play in front of a home crowd for the first time since September 2019 tomorrow.

Hampshire are the visitors to the Cooper Associates County Ground, for a County Championship fixture (June 3-6).

Somerset’s head coach said: “There’s so much excitement - it will be an emotional day.

“We have such a strong membership, and it will be an unbelievable atmosphere.”

Somerset sit second in the Group 2 table, with Gloucestershire top, Surrey third and Hampshire fourth.

Only two teams go through to challenge for the County Championship title later in the season, so a win over one of their qualification rivals this weekend would be a major boost to Somerset's hopes.

The hosts will be without Jack Leach and Craig Overton, but Kerr said one of the squad’s great strengths is its depth.

“Marchant de Lange is chomping at the bit and we all know that Roelof van der Merwe is a top cricketer,” he said.

Somerset have named a 13-man squad for the match, with Tom Lammonby being rested.

Squad: Tom Abell (c), Kasey Aldridge, Tom Banton, George Bartlett, Jack Brooks, Eddie Byrom, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Marchant de Lange, Lewis Goldsworthy, Lewis Gregory, James Hildreth, Roelof van der Merwe.

***

NEITHER Jack Leach nor Craig Overton were selected by England for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's (June 2-6).

England opted to go without a specialist spin bowler for the match, and Ollie Robinson got the nod over Overton for one of the seam bowling spots.

Devon Conway, an overseas signing for Somerset this season, is playing though - and he made a half-century on his Test debut for the tourists.