SOMERSET captain Tom Abell has hailed spinner Jack Leach after his call-up to the England Test squad to face New Zealand.

The first Test begins overnight tonight (1am UK time), and Abell - who could yet make a similar leap himself in the years to come - told the County Gazette of his pride regarding Leach's selection.

“You couldn’t meet a more popular and grounded individual - he's one of the most popular players on the county circuit,” he said.

“He’s as good a character as you’ll find and no-one puts more into their game than Leachy, so it’s thoroughly deserved.

“He has gone through a fair bit but he came back and showed his quality.

“It was a special moment when he announced it to us - it topped off a great couple of days in Cornwall - and as a squad we couldn’t be happier for him.”

With Leach joining Craig Overton in the England squad, Somerset now have two academy products on the international stage.

“The club wants to bring through local players and it’s great to have them flying the flag for us - it makes you proud,” Abell said.

The 23-year-old batsman has enjoyed a productive winter himself, including a 10-day trip to India in which he accompanied the Somerset academy for a first taste of cricket in the subcontinent.

"It was a fantastic trip and experience," he said.

"We were lucky to have the opportunity to go and work with some really good bowlers out there. It was an eye-opening test, particularly against spin."

Abell went on to describe how impressed he was by the cricketing culture he discovered while there.

"It couldn't be further removed from here," he began.

"It's hard to do it justice really - there's just an incredible fascination for cricket which is truly unparallelled.

"Everyone has stumps and a ball and there's games going on all over the place. It really is like a religion out there."

Now back on home soil, Abell had similar praise for the preparation his side are experiencing in the marquee which has been set up on the outfield at the County Ground.

"It has been a real challenge, with bowlers coming in off their full run-ups making life difficult for us batsmen, which is what you want," he said.

"This year we all have to be tougher at the start of our innings and really earn the right to get in and score runs, so this is an ideal way to prepare.

"All the guys are looking good and those who have been injured, such as Lewis [Gregory] and Jamie [Overton], are building up to full strength."

Somerset's first pre-season game was due to take place against Gloucestershire on Monday and was then re-arranged for today (Wednesday), though both have fallen victim to the weather.

Instead, work is ongoing to try and fit in some play against Worcestershire on Friday.

"It has been frustrating, but I imagine there are lots of teams in the same boat," Abell said.

"We are lucky to have the facility we do [the marquee], so we are able to make the best of the situation."