SOMERSET County Cricket Club Jason Kerr has been appointed as Welsh Fire's assistant coach for the duration of The Hundred this summer.

Kerr will provide support to Welsh Fire head coach Gary Kirsten, and work with a squad that features Somerset batsman Tom Banton, as well as the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Pope and Kieron Pollard.

In Kerr's absence, Paul Tweddle is to take up the role of Somerset head coach for the 2021 Royal London One-Day Cup.

It means that Tweddle - who is one of the club's assistant coaches - is tasked with defending the 50-over title which Somerset won in 2019.

Tweddle commented: "I’m really proud to have the opportunity to step up in Jason’s absence.

"It’s an exciting challenge and opportunity. I love the 50-over format and the club has a good tradition in the competition.

“I have a good knowledge of how the club operates and of the brilliant things that we are already doing.

"I’ll also be bringing some ideas of my own to the position.

“Ultimately, we all want to be winning games of cricket [but] we also want to play a great brand of cricket, and I’m excited to see that develop and grow.”

Kerr said: "Paul has earned the right to have this opportunity. He’s been here for a long time and he is an exceptional coach.

“We pride ourselves on succession planning, and the development of all our staff is key.

"I have absolute trust in him that he will do a brilliant job.

"He has been a major influence in the development of our players both on and off the field, and this is the perfect time for him to be given this opportunity.”

Director of cricket Andy Hurry added: "Our philosophy has always been to recognise talent and to then give it the chance to flourish

“That goes for our coaching staff as well as for our players.

"Paul is hugely respected by everyone at the club and within the domestic game.

"He has tremendous drive, enthusiasm, innovation and will to win.

"This has been a tremendously popular decision within the dressing room, and I am sure that our members and supporters will feel the same.

“Above all, Paul is an outstanding coach and his knowledge of the game, our players and their requirements is second to none.

"His talents to lead were initially affirmed to us during Jason’s absence over the winter of 2019/20, when Jason was seconded to the ECB Lions tour to Australia.

"He has also had some previous experience of successfully leading the 1st XI, when he stepped into the breach when Jason wasn’t available for a period in 2019."