Hants depleted for Somerset

Michael Carberry's absence will cause the batting order to be rejigged © Getty Images

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Hampshire take a weakened bowling attack to Taunton as they seek to bounce back from their innings defeat by Yorkshire in LV County Championship Division One.

Shane Bond has picked up a calf injury, Chris Tremlett is on England Lions duty and captain Dimitri Mascarenhas is still with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

Another fast bowler, David Balcombe, recovered from an initial injury but suffered a further side strain at the weekend.

The absentees mean that David Griffiths will lead Hampshire’s attack, supported by left-armer James Tomlinson, and either Hamza Riazuddin or left-arm spinner Liam Dawson.

Riazuddin, 18, is still at Bradfield College and yet to make his first-class debut, but took eight wickets against Sussex second XI at Hove in April.

Dawson has represented England Under-19s, but did not have a chance to bowl on his championship debut, away at Yorkshire last season.

The county will also be without opening batsman Michael Carberry, away with the Lions, but his loss is offset by the return of England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who plays his first championship match of the season.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Sean Ervine has fully recovered from his hamstring injury and also returns.

A neck injury continues to keep Andrew Caddick out of the Somerset squad.

The former England fast bowler has played only once for his county this season, in a three-day match against Cambridge UCCE in April.

Fast bowler Mark Turner is also absent with a niggle, and his place is expected to be taken by Alfonso Thomas.

Thomas and fellow South African Zander de Bruyn are also named in a 13-man squad and are expected to make their championship debuts for Somerset.

Opening batsman John Francis has not retained his place from the XI that drew with Lancashire in their last championship game. His place could be taken by Neil Edwards.