SOMERSET'S Tom Lammonby has returned home from New Zealand after injury robbed him of a place in England’s squad for the Under-19 World Cup.

The 17-year-old left-handed batsman, who also bowls left-arm medium pace, suffered the injury during practice .

Lammonby suffered a broken hand trying to stop a ball while bowling in the nets.

Andy Hurry, Somerset’s director of cricket, said: “Everyone at the club is devastated for Tom.

“He has really impressed for his country at this level over the last 12 months and I have no doubt that he would have played a major part in England winning matches at this tournament.

“Obviously he is extremely disappointed, but he is a strong character and he will bounce back.

“We will assess the injury when he returns to the Cooper Associates County Ground and hopefully he will be back out in the middle sooner rather than later.”

Lammonby has been in good form recently and excelled with the bat in the recent Tri-Series against South Africa and Namibia. He was also named as England’s man of the series against India last summer.

Parents Glenn and Jill had booked a month off work to follow Tom in New Zealand. They were due to fly out on Friday. Instead they were at the airport to take Tom home to Exeter.

Somerset still have two representatives in the England squad at the ICC U19 World Cup, Tom Banton and Fin Trenouth. England begin their campaign against Namibia on January 15th.

Tom will be replaced in the squad by Euan Woods.