The off-spinner has not made an appearance in the County Championship since the final match of last season
Surrey off-spinner Amar Virdi has joined Somerset on a one-match loan deal.
Virdi, 23, has not made an appearance in the LV= Insurance County Championship since the final match of last season, with the emergence of Will Jacks as an off-spinning allrounder restricting his red-ball opportunities.
Left-arm spinner Dan Moriarty and leg-spinning allrounder Cam Steel have both been named alongside Jacks in Surrey's 14-man squad to face Yorkshire at Scarborough.
Virdi will turn out for Somerset against Lancashire at Southport, with Jack Leach unavailable for selection.
Virdi hasn't played in the County Championship since the last game of the 2021 season (Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Andy Hurry, Somerset's director of cricket, has previously worked with Virdi during his time with England Under-19s. Jason Kerr, the county's head coach, has worked with him on the England Lions programme.
"We have a strong awareness of his ability with the ball and his character," said Hurry. "He is a quality spinner with genuine international aspirations, and we are delighted to be able to welcome him into our environment."
Alec Stewart, Surrey's director of cricket, added: "This is a very good opportunity for Amar to play some first-team cricket, having not yet featured in our County Championship side this season."
Posted by Andrew Mayers on 15/07/2022 at 15:17
The continuing absence of Virdi from the Surrey line-up is mystifying. Jacks is an excellent part-time spinner, but his limitations were clear as Yorkshire piled up more than 500 the other day. Surrey have an excellent attack, lots of fast-bowling options, but it is unbalanced without a front-line, proven spinner, particularly in the hot, dry, high-summer conditions. So why persist in refusing to pick the proven spinner they have? What is going on with Virdi, Mr Stewart?
Posted by David Sawyer on 13/07/2022 at 18:21
Why haven’t Surrey given Amar a game yet this season, Jacks is not a genuine spinner although he has done well it’s not his specialist job. I see he hasn’t taken any wkts v Lancs but held 2 catches, as long as he keeps Lancs away from catching up Surrey at the top of the table it will be worth it. David Sawyer, author of a book on Surrey wicketkeepers, one of which has done well for Yorkshire v Surrey today with a century & 5 victims - Johnny Tattersall on loan last season.
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