SOMERSET have signed former West Indies captain Chris Gayle for this year’s Friends Life t20 campaign. The powerful opener has forged a reputation as one of the world’s best batsmen in the shortest format, hitting the highest score in T20 internationals with his 117 against South Africa in 2007 and starring for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year.
His off-spin also provides a dangerous option in limited-overs cricket and he will fill the void left by Kieron Pollard’s absence, with the all-rounder on duty for the West Indies.
Gayle said: “I am delighted to be heading to Somerset this summer, they are a great club and hopefully I can make a key contribution to their T20 campaign this year.”
Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose added: “Chris is a tremendously exciting player and one of the people who would get into any World T20 XI.
“Chris is a tremendous all-rounder; his batting is outstanding, he bowls and can open the attack with his off-spinners and he is also a brilliant fielder, so we are absolutely delighted.”
Gayle has not played for the national team since last year’s World Cup after a fall-out with the West Indies Cricket Board.