Gayle heading for Somerset

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Chris Gayle, who has not played for West Indies since the 2011 World Cup, is set to represent Somerset in the Friends Life t20

Somerset have signed former West Indies captain Chris Gayle for this year’s Friends Life t20 in place of Kieron Pollard.

Gayle, a powerful opener, has forged a reputation as one of the world’s best batsmen in the shortest format, hitting the highest score in Twenty20 internationals with his 117 against South Africa in 2007 and starring for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. His off-spin also provides a dangerous option in limited-overs cricket.

Somerset, who have lost the last three domestic t20 finals, announced in October that all-rounder Pollard was due to return for a third straight summer’s domestic t20 campaign, subject to contract agreements and international commitments.

However, Pollard’s place in the Windies’ one-day side throughout 2011 means he is likely to be involved in June’s NatWest Series with England, which clashes with the FLt20.

Gayle, who has not played for the national team since last year’s World Cup after a fall-out with the West Indies Cricket Board, 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 is set to play alongside South Africa all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe, who is due to take over from fellow Protea Vernon Philander after the first two months of the season.

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