SOMERSET director of cricket Andy Hurry believes James Hildreth should be a part of the England Test side before the year is up.

Hildreth, 33, has started the season in tremendous form, with two County Championship centuries followed up by 35 not out, 159 (a new List A career-best) and 87 in Somerset’s three Royal London One-Day Cup group games so far.

Hurry said: “He’s in great nick and it’s a pleasure to watch.

“Let’s hope the England selectors have been watching, not just in the white ball but also the red ball, as he’s been one of the most consistent performers in the country for a number of years and I think that needs to be recognised.

“It is perhaps too soon for him to play in the Pakistan series, but there is an India series later in the summer and a tour to Sri Lanka this winter.

“He’s an outstanding player of spin and he’s got the whole game - if you are looking for specialist players for specialist pitches, I would be looking at James Hildreth for the Sri Lanka series.

“If there are any hiccups in the Pakistan series it may even come sooner rather than later.

“As director of cricket it’s important I promote any Somerset players I believe are capable of making an impact at a higher level, and I believe James Hildreth can do that.

“The selectors are looking to take a new direction, we’ve seen that with Jos Buttler, and I think it’s about picking horses for courses.

“Guys that are in form and consistently performing well should come under serious consideration.”

Hildreth will have the chance to continue his fine form in Chelmsford tomorrow, as Somerset travel to face Essex for their latest Royal London One-Day Cup South Group clash in a day/night match which begins at 2pm.

Somerset lost for the first time this season on Tuesday, Sussex running out 75-run winners in Taunton, and are again without captain Tom Abell as he recovers from a finger injury.

Peter Trego led the side in Abell's absence against Sussex and looks set to do so again at Chelmsford.

Jack Leach (broken thumb) and Josh Davey (quad) are also out, while Lewis Gregory - who remains yet to sign a new deal at Somerset with negotiations still ongoing - sits out for the third match in a row as the club manage his workload early in the season.

Looking ahead to the match, Hurry said: "It's always tough at Chelmsford and there will be a great atmosphere up there under the lights.

"I have good memories of matches there before and our job will be to silence the crowd."

Essex have won one and lost two of their group matches so far, and won last year's reverse fixture by 72 runs in Taunton.

Somerset squad to face Essex: Tom Banton, Steve Davies, Ben Green, Tim Groenewald, James Hildreth, Johann Myburgh, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matt Renshaw, Peter Trego, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren and Max Waller.