Somerset hit by du Plessis blow

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Somerset’s overseas personnel for this year’s Friends Life 20 has changed again with the news that Francois du Plessis has become unavailable.

Director of cricket Brian Rose moved to secure the services of the South Africa all-rounder after Chris Gayle turned his back on a deal with the county in order to reignite his West Indies career.

However, Somerset have been hit with the news that du Plessis has been called up to the South Africa A squad for the visit of Sri Lanka and the Twenty20 series in Zimbabwe, and will not be able to fulfil his commitment.

Francois du Plessis will be unable to represent Somerset in this year's Friends Life t20 after being selected by South Africa A

Rose is now in the market for another overseas player to accompany Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel, who put pen to paper on a contract in January.

Rose told the club’s website: “This news is not entirely unexpected because du Plessis has done so well with his performances in the Indian Premier League, which has put him right back in the selectors eyes.

“It’s always a risk and a gamble these days when you sign any overseas player that they might get called up by their national side at any time and that has happened in this case.

“I have been working on signing someone else of a similar nature and hope to be able to make an announcement about a replacement for du Plessis in due course.”

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