Somerset replenish overseas stocks with Neil Wagner for Championship run-in

The fast bowler had been due to start the season as Yorkshire's overseas player, but that plan was curtailed by back and hamstring injuries

Somerset have signed New Zealand left-armer Neil Wagner for the County Championship run-in.

The fast bowler had been due to start the season as Yorkshire's overseas player, but that plan was curtailed by back and hamstring injuries.

The 37-year-old, previously of Northamptonshire, Lancashire and Essex, last played in New Zealand's  epic Test win over Sri Lanka off the last ball, when he and Kane Williamson scampered through for the crucial winning run.

"I'm looking forward to joining up with Somerset and hopefully I can help them finish the season strongly," said Wagner, who is due to arrive in the UK in time for Somerset's clash with Hampshire at the start of September.

"Division One is very competitive again this year and there are no easy games, but I'll be doing everything that I can to make sure that Somerset finish as close to the top of the table as possible."

^{Wagner played his part in a thrilling win for New Zealand in March (Joe Allinson/Getty Images)}

Somerset had Peter Siddle and Matt Henry onboard as overseas seamers earlier in the season, but Siddle departed through injury and Henry's stint came to an end in July, having spearheaded their T20 Blast triumph.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry added: "We have been working extremely hard to secure the services of a quality international bowler for the last three red-ball fixtures of the season. Neil is a proven performer at the very highest level and has vast experience as well as a thorough understanding of Championship cricket.

"He is a real competitor, and alongside our other highly-rated bowlers, we believe we have the capability to consistently take 20 wickets as we enter the final phase of the Championship season."

Related Topics

• Prithvi Shaw dazzles and the records tumble as Northants thrash Somerset