Twenty20 specialist Dirk Nannes has signed to represent Somerset for their whole NatWest T20 Blast campaign.
The 37-year-old left-arm seamer, who has played Twenty20 cricket for Australia, Netherlands and in domestic competitions all round the world, will link up with Somerset in time for their tournament opener with Gloucestershire Gladiators at Bristol on May 16.
Nannes initially pursued a career in skiing and only made his professional cricket debut in 2006, aged 29. Of his 244 competitive appearances, 189 have been in the shortest form. He has 222 T20 wickets at an average of 22.24.
Nannes was a T20 winner with Middlesex in 2008 and played in the format for Nottinghamshire in 2010 before Surrey in 2011 and 2012.
The son of Dutch migrants started his international career with Netherlands at the 2009 World Twenty20 but quickly switched allegiance to Australia, the country of his birth, whom he last represented in 2010.
Somerset director of cricket Dave Nosworthy said: "We are really excited to have signed Dirk Nannes for the NatWest T20 Blast after what has been a rather lengthy and tough search.
“We have always been intent on trying to find a quality international player who was prepared to commit to the entire competition. Dirk fits the bill on both counts.
“Having previously worked with Dirk I know that he is a very good team man and I have no doubt that his off-field contributions will be just as important as his on-field performances."
Nannes, who most recently played for Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League, said: "As an outsider, I've always been envious of the long and continued success that Somerset as a club seem to achieve. It will be good to have the shoe on the other foot, and I will hopefully be able to contribute to a nice winning streak. I am now living very close to Taunton, so it feels like I'll be playing for my local team."