Somerset get Gayle for T20

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.

His off-spin also provides an 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 has not played for the West Indies since last year’s World Cup after a fall-out with the Cricket Board.