Bowler was the choice of new first-team coach Dermot Reeve and his recommendation was accepted unanimously by the Somerset management committee.

Sussex coach Desmond Haynes admitted yesterday that he had been disheartened by the steady flow of players from Hove.

Leg-spinner Ian Salisbury joined Surrey last week and allrounder Danny Law moved to Essex. Alan Wells, replaced by Peter Moores as captain, said yesterday that he had received a firm offer from Kent and Martin Speight is keen to leave in order to resume wicket-keeping duties.

Haynes, who is playing in South Africa, said: ``This is a very low time in my short career as coach. I begged the players to give me a chance, but obviously they had their minds set on going. What more could I do? It shows there's no loyalty, but that's the game.''

England A enter a less demanding phase of their tour with two games in Canberra against the Australian Capital Territory side, a one-day match starting tomorrow and a four-day game beginning on Saturday.

David Follett, the fast-medium bowler leaving Middlesex for domestic reasons, has signed a two-year contract with Northamptonshire.