Roelof van der Merwe signs Somerset white-ball extension

Van der Merwe, 38, will remain at Taunton until at least the end of the 2025 season and will turn 40 during in December 2024

Veteran Netherlands allrounder Roelof van der Merwe has prolonged his county career by signing a two-year contract extension with Somerset.

Van der Merwe, 38, will remain at Taunton until at least the end of the 2025 season and will turn 40 during in December 2024.

The left-arm spinner's current deal was due to expire at the end of the current campaign, but he has enjoyed a terrific second wind in recent years, starring for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the inaugural SA20 and continuing to impress for the Netherlands in international cricket and in county cricket with Somerset.

"It's great to be a part of this club and to be able to be here for another two years is really pleasing," he said. "I've been at Somerset for a long time now and almost feel like part of the furniture, but I still love coming back every year after the winter.

"We are well supported and it's always great to play in front of our home fans. We've got a unique set of supporters here and they bring an outstanding atmosphere whenever we play."

His new arrangement is on a white-ball-only basis, which means his last first-class match last July.

^{Van der Merwe had a terrific SA20 with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

"I'm getting to the stage in my career where I need to be thinking about what I'm going to do post-cricket. I've got a massive interest in coaching, and focusing my time on the white-ball game will give me more opportunity to develop my coaching.

"I love the red-ball game, but it takes a lot more out of the body, and I have to look at what is in the best interests of the club and myself."

Andy Hurry, the county's director of cricket, added: "Over a number of seasons for both us and across the globe in International and franchise cricket, Roelof has demonstrated the ability to positively impact results with match-winning contributions with the bat, the ball and in the field.

"He plays such a pivotal role for us in white ball cricket so to secure his services across these formats for at least another two seasons is really important for us moving forward.

"Roelof is the very definition of a team man. He is a model professional and his drive, determination and will to succeed are infectious. He is an incredibly popular member of the dressing room and the manner in which he conducts himself both on and off the field is exemplary."

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