SOMERSET spin bowler Jack Leach has told the County Gazette he is excited to play for England again and is hoping to show the public that this squad is on the way up.

He said: "I am really looking forward to playing for country again, it is always the highest honour.

"I feel as though I have found some strong form in the county championship so I will look to carry that over for England.

"The whole squad is a tight knit group, we are all working towards the same goal and we accept the negative talk about recent England results but we want to show that we can compete and we are improving."

England are set to take on New Zealand in the first test match of the summer this week at Lord's, Leach thinks it will be a good opportunity for him.

"I want to set a goal of being more attacking, and looking to take as many wickets as possible.

"Ultimately it is about beating the grass and beating the bowler in the air, I have confidence in my ability to do that."

In terms of playing for Somerset more this season, Leach said that is something he intends to do.

"There is more four day cricket in the middle of Summer and I will look to play for Somerset in those games.

"Despite England being the pinnacle and a long term goal of mine, I truly love playing for Somerset, it is my home after all."