Somerset coach discusses futures of Byrom, Bess and Babar
Somerset head coach Jason Kerr on the futures of Babar Azam, Dom Bess and Eddie Byrom
Dom Bess celebrates the wicket of Rilee Rossouw against Hampshire. Pic: Alex Davidson/SCCC
Jason Kerr expects Somerset's current squad to peak over the next two years and finally deliver a first-ever County Championship title.
The head coach admits there is still a "huge sense of disappointment" over last week's drawn game at Taunton, which saw Essex crowned champions and Somerset finish runners-up for the sixth time this century.
Kerr is delaying a debrief until the players have had a break and insists that by the time they reconvene the more positive aspects of one of the best season's in the club's history will have resurfaced.
He said: "We won a trophy for the first time in 14 years, which was huge in proving to ourselves we could do it, and with a bit more luck with the weather last week I believe we would have won and finished champions.
"For the next couple of seasons our senior players will still be capable of major contributions, the likes of the Overtons, Lewis Gregory and Jack Leach will be at the height of their powers, while Tom Banton, George Bartlett and other youngsters will only get better.
"There is so much to look forward to in the short-term. And after that it is down to myself, Andy Hurry and our Academy to ensure new players come into the side to keep us moving forward."
Tim Groenewald has left to join Kent and there have been strong rumours about interest in Dom Bess and Eddie Byrom. But Kerr is optimistic of holding onto Somerset's best young players.
"I believe Dom and Eddie will stay," he said. "Of course, they have to do what they consider best for their futures, but we are building something special and they have a part to play.
"Sometimes as a player you have to be patient. A perfect example of someone who has benefited from that quality is Josh Davey.
"He did really well for us in 2018 and then started this season in good form, only to suffer an injury after helping us to win the Royal London One-Day Cup.
"That cost him his first-team place through no fault of his own and, while it was frustrating, he worked his way back into the side.
"The grass is not always greener elsewhere.
"We could lose Jack Leach to England a fair bit next season, which might well create more chances for Dom, while Eddie has suffered from George Bartlett doing so well from the start of this summer, but is still highly regarded.
"If we are to achieve the success we all want, we need strength in depth and stiff competition for places, so we will do all we can to hang onto the players we have developed."
Kerr will be holding meetings with director of cricket Andy Hurry, captain Tom Abell and T20 skipper Gregory in the coming weeks at which the signing of overseas players for 2020 will be high on the agenda.
Babar Azam proved the most successful recruit this summer and the head coach would love to see him back in some capacity next season.
"Having the number one T20 batsman in the world was great for us," said Kerr. "Of course, we would like him back, but first we have to study international schedules for next year, as well as the changes to the domestic calendar.
"It may be that we look at getting a top one-day player for the early season and a different one for the later Championship games. Ideally, we like continuity, but it is not always possible."
Copy supplied by Richard Latham, ECB Reporters' Network
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