Van der Merwe and Pollard return

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Roelof van der Merwe emerged as a T20 batsman in his own right during a Champions League campaign that saw him score 179 runs

Somerset have announced Roelof van der Merwe and Kieron Pollard are set to be back as overseas players next season, subject to contract agreements and international commitments.

South Africa all-rounder van der Merwe is a replacement for fellow slow left-armer Murali Kartik, who this week announced he will not play a third consecutive season at Taunton.

West Indies all-rounder Pollard, however, is set to be back for a third straight summer, again to play in the domestic t20 having helped Somerset reach the last two finals.

In 11 Friends Life t20 appearances this year culminating in the final, the 24-year-old hit 234 runs at 39, claimed 12 wickets at 27 and took nine catches.

Van der Merwe’s time with Somerset this summer may have been limited, but it was more than enough for him to become a central figure in their successful Twenty20 gameplan.

His contributions with ball and, perhaps more surprisingly, bat during five FLt20 group games helped them reach finals day - he was absent when they fell at the ultimate hurdle to Leicestershire - and he enhanced his all-round credentials with a string of impressive displays in their recent march to the Champions League T20 semi-finals in India.

The 26-year-old told ecb.co.uk: “They gave me the chance earlier in the year. The few weeks I was there, I feel I bonded really well with the guys and I loved my time with them.”

Kieron Pollard, like last year, aided Somerset's progression to the domestic t20 final. This time with 234 runs, 12 wickets and nine catches

Van der Merwe is set to represent Somerset from the start of June until the end of the domestic campaign. However, he could be involved in South Africa’s tour of England from mid-July until mid-September - particularly in the limited-overs games towards the end.

Van der Merwe, who is yet to earn a Test debut, makes no secret of a burning desire to win back his place in the South Africa set-up.

While he is hopeful rather than confident of adding to his 13 ODI and 13 T20 caps - more than a year has passed since he last represented his country - he will continue to treat every game as an opportunity to remind the selectors of his worth.

“From an international point of view, the side is very much established now,” he added. “It’s going to be hard for me to get in there, but I can’t hurt my chances by putting in good performances.”

For all Somerset’s disappointment at missing out on a place in the Champions League final following defeat by eventual winners Mumbai Indians featuring Pollard, van der Merwe can take considerable comfort from his own performances.

His miserly bowling yielded six wickets at 27 apiece and an admirable economy rate of barely seven an over, while only five players bettered his tally of 179 runs - made from number three and at a blistering strike-rate of 164.

“If you play a lot of cricket and you do well, you will reap the rewards,” said van der Merwe, who will spend the winter playing domestic cricket in his homeland.

“Playing for your country is the ultimate goal for any cricketer - and if I play again it would be a bonus. The more cricket you play the better your chances.”

Regarding the two months prior to van der Merwe’s expected arrival, Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose said: "The search is going on at the moment to find a suitable overseas player for the vital period between April 1st and May 31st.”

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