By Rob Barnett
Jim Allenby has joined Somerset from Glamorgan on a permanent contract, with fellow all-rounder Craig Meschede going the other way on a season-long loan.
In further news involving the Welsh County, South African batsman Jacques Rudolph has extended his stay until the end of the 2017 campaign.
Rudolph, 33, had a mixed first term with Glamorgan, sensationally averaging 82 in the Royal London One-Day Cup but falling below his high standards in the LV= County Championship.
He is set to be accompanied next year by another seasoned run-scorer given a Glamorgan statement read: “The club is also in advanced negotiations with an experienced top-order batsman”.
Very excited to be joining @SomersetCCC.Have always loved playing at Taunton and look forward to a few trophies(and ciders) in next 3 years!
— jimallenby (@jimallenby) November 18, 2014
Australian Allenby again links up with Matthew Maynard, the former Glamorgan director of cricket who signed him from Leicestershire in August 2009. Maynard was recently appointed to the same role at Somersetafter a spell out of the county game.
Allenby, influential in all forms plus captain and scorer of 548 runs in this season's NatWest T20 Blast, had a successful spell with Glamorgan, notably helping them to the final of the Yorkshire Bank 40 last year. The 32-year-old requested to leave the Division Two club and will play in the top flight with Somerset.
Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris said: "Whilst we appreciate the on-field contribution Jim has made to Glamorgan County Cricket Club over the past five seasons, we are disappointed he feels the next stage of his career would be best served away from the SWALEC Stadium."
"It is a shame to see Jim depart, but as we are focused on rebuilding a team capable of consistently competing for domestic honours, we need to have everyone at the club fully committed to bringing success back to the county.”
Allenby, who signed a new four-year deal with Glamorgan in 2013, said: “I am delighted to be joining Somerset which is a club I hold in extremely high regard. My aspirations are to win trophies and I am really looking forward to helping Somerset strive to achieve that objective.
"I have enjoyed my time at Glamorgan and I would like to thank the supporters for welcoming me to Wales and for all the support whilst I have played for the club.
“I leave Glamorgan with some great memories and what I hope will be life-long friendships. I wish the players every success and hope they have long and enjoyable careers.”
Maynard, who last week lost the services of top-order batsman Nick Compton but signed Abdur Rehman the week before, said: “I am delighted that Jim is joining us. Not only is he an outstanding player in all formats, he is a great bloke and a strong character and I am sure he will play a key part in helping us to build a cohesive and successful team.
“Whilst not a like-for-like replacement for Nick Compton, there is no doubt in my mind that Jim is a superb acquisition to a very talented Somerset squad.”
Allenby is 10 years older than Meschede, who remains part of Somerset’s future having signed a new deal in September.
Meschede’s maiden first-class wicket was Sachin Tendulkar and last year he took career-best figures of 4-5 against Leicestershire in the YB40.
Meschede said: “Whilst it will be tough to leave Somerset albeit on loan, I am relishing the opportunity of developing my skills as a professional cricketer and I am really looking forward to the challenges and excitement of joining Glamorgan for the season.”
Maynard added: “Craig has been brilliant in recognising that a loan to Glamorgan will enable him to play more first-team matches than was likely at Somerset next season.
“The maturity and enthusiasm which he has displayed since I raised the possibility of a loan move with him has been heartening and I am sure he will grow in stature and experience during the 2015 season.”