Jerome Taylor joins Somerset for Vitality Blast

West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor has signed for Somerset for the rest of the Vitality Blast. He is expected to be available for nine South Group games, as well as the knockout stage if Somerset qualify.

Taylor was a member of the West Indies squad that lifted the 2016 World T20, and played his most-recent T20I in January. He has previously appeared in county cricket for Sussex and Leicestershire.

"We are delighted to have secured such a high-quality player for the business end of the Vitality Blast," Somerset's director of cricket, Andy Hurry, said. "He brings with him a wealth of international T20 experience and is a player who can really impact games with the ball, both with the new ball and especially at the end of an innings."

Taylor is set to debut in next Friday's game against Surrey at The Oval. Once one of West Indies' fastest bowlers, he claimed 5 for 11 as England were bowled out for 51 in Jamaica nine years ago and has played more than 150 times for his country across all formats. In T20, he has taken 104 wickets in 89 games, with an economy of 8.12.

"I'm really excited to be joining Somerset for the Vitality Blast," Taylor said. "It's a real honour to join such a prestigious club and I hope that I can help bring my experience to what looks like a really exciting group of young players."