SOMERSET batsman Eddie Byrom is looking to build on his maiden First Class century for the club as he settles into a new role in the middle order.

Byrom opened the batting in eight Championship matches last season but struggled for runs, averaging 20.60 from 15 innings.

Handed an opportunity at number six against Cardiff MCCU, Byrom responded with a fluent unbeaten 115 in the second innings after a winter spent looking to establish a more assertive mindset.

Speaking after Somerset wrapped up a 568-run victory over their student opponents, the 21-year-old said: "Opening up you have to find a balance between seeing off the new ball and trying to put the bowler under pressure.

"Last season I think I went a bit too defensive.

"When you get a couple of low scores opening the batting and the ball is nipping around there are certain technical things that make you almost shrink as a batsman and go into your shell.

"I only really realised that when the winter came. It was something I worked on over the winter and I had to have a couple of conversations with my coaches.

"I've worked on it and it helps coming out at six when the ball is doing a bit less and you can put pressure on the bowler."

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Asked whether he is now likely to start the season down the order, Byrom said: "I would think so, from the conversations I have had with the coaches.

"If I get opportunities to play that is probably where they will be - at six or in the middle order.

"Ultimately, I still see myself as an opening batsman in the long term, but in the short term if that [middle order] is where I am best suited for the team then I am happy to slot in wherever."

The left-hander is also keen to play more of a role in white ball cricket this season.

He is yet to feature for Somerset's first team in either of the shorter formats but played 50-over friendlies during the recent tour of Abu Dhabi and is determined to show the variety of strings to his bow.

"People pigeon-hole certain cricketers when they play a certain way in one format and I don't want to be seen as just a red-ball player," Byrom said.

"I still have a lot of work to do with my game in red ball and white ball but I want to develop all those parts of my game and become as valuable to Somerset as possible."