SOMERSET director of cricket, Matthew Maynard insists the stress fracture sustained by spinner Jack Leach, whilst playing in Western Australia, will not see him miss the start of the 2016 county season.

Leach sustained a slight stress fracture on the right side of his spine playing grade cricket for Wanneroo in Perth, but Maynard says the left-armer should be fit for the opening fixture.

“Unfortunately for Jack he has sustained a slight stress fracture on the right side of his spine,” he said.

“However this should be healed in plenty of time for the start of the season, but we are bringing him home as a precaution, to get him fit and ready.

“Jack Leach has done really well since he went out earlier in the autumn and his bowling figures have showed that.

“Although he hasn’t had a huge haul of wickets, he has bowled nice and tight and contained the batsmen and picked up ones and twos.”

Another Somerset youngster down under, Tom Abell scored his second century for Fremantle in Perth on Saturday – and Maynard has been pleased with the opener’s progress.

“Tom Abell has been the star so far and has scored his second hundred of the campaign, and is the leading run scorer out there,” said Maynard.

“He also took five catches in an innings as well as enjoying a five wicket haul, so he will be coming back as a genuine all-rounder.”

Maynard believes the county’s youngsters will benefit a great deal from their spells overseas and hopes to see them kick on in a Somerset shirt next season.

“The boys are having a really good time in Perth working very hard on their games,” he said.

“Lewis Gregory went out to join Jack Leach and Tom Abell and it was nice to see him scoring 40 in his first match.

“In addition to the three players in Perth, off spinner Dom Bess is at the Darren Lehmann Academy in Adelaide, where he has done well, and Alex Barrow is in New Zealand where he has got some good scores.

Max Waller is in Cape Town where has been bowling well and developing his game to help him break into the four-day side.

“It’s great also that Craig and Jamie Overton have both been selected to play for the Lions and they should have a great trip out to the UAE, where they play the 50 over series against Pakistan.”