Ish Sodhi joins Somerset on short-term contract

The New Zealand international will be available for the remainder of the T20 Blast and will also be in contention for selection for Somerset's County Championship clash with Hampshire, which begins on July 10

Somerset have signed Ish Sodhi on a short-term contract.

The New Zealand international will be available for the remainder of the T20 Blast and will also be in contention for selection for Somerset's County Championship clash with Hampshire, which begins on July 10.

Sodhi is no stranger to county cricket, taking 45 T20 wickets with an economy of 8.54 in 44 matches across stints with Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire.

He also represented Worcestershire in one County Championship match in 2021, taking six wickets.

The 30-year-old spinner has taken 262 wickets across his T20 career, 118 of which have come in 98 appearances for New Zealand. In first-class cricket, Sodhi has taken 303 wickets at 33.05 in 93 matches and earned 19 Test caps.

^{Sodhi has previously played for Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire [David Rogers/Getty Images]}

Somerset are currently struggling with injuries, with Peter Siddle, Roelof van der Merwe, and Lewis Gregory all sidelined with hand problems.

"Everyone is aware of the injuries that we have picked up to senior players over the last week or so, so it was imperative at such a key stage of the Vitality Blast campaign that we acted quickly and identified a player who could add real value to our squad," said director of cricket, Andy Hurry.

"Ish provides us with both international qualities and a vast amount of domestic T20 experience, which includes over two hundred T20 games to date. He has previous experience of playing in the Blast and will add a wealth of knowhow to our ranks.

"He is renowned for his control and ability to bamboozle opposition batters and we can't wait for him to join up with us later this week."

Sodhi added: "I'm looking forward to joining Somerset for the rest of the Blast. It's a competition that I enjoy playing in and Somerset have done exceptionally well in the tournament so far.

"They've already qualified for a quarter-final and I hope that I can contribute to the team winning a few more games and help give the members and supporters some more success."