Jake Ball signs for Somerset

Somerset have signed Jake Ball, the former England seamer, on a two-year contract after his release from Nottinghamshire at the end of the 2023 season.

Ball, 32, departed Trent Bridge after a 15-year career in which he took more than 400 wickets for the county, as well as winning caps for England in all three formats.

"I'm really looking forward to this new challenge," he said. "Somerset have got a great bunch of lads, and their ambition was one of the things that really attracted me to the club. I genuinely believe that this group of players have what it takes to challenge for the Championship and build on the success of wining this season's Vitality Blast.

"The support that Somerset get is unrivalled at times. I played against Somerset in the Blast this year and the atmosphere was right up there. The fact that the club is so well supported was another big draw for me. There's a lot of passion for cricket in the area, and I'm looking forward to having that crowd on my side now.

"There's a good young crop of players and some outstanding experienced professionals. Hopefully, I can add to that. I'll be looking to help the younger bowlers and hopefully we can be competing for even more trophies in the next few years."

Ball, whose last England appearance came in 2018, will effectively fill the role of senior seamer vacated by Jack Brooks, after the 39-year-old was not offered a new contract.

Andy Hurry, Somerset's director of cricket, said: "We are extremely pleased to have signed Jake. He will really complement our outstanding attack, whilst the knowledge and experience that he will bring to the dressing room will be of huge benefit to our aspirational bowlers and their development.

"He has a genuine desire to win games of cricket and it was very much apparent during our discussions that there remains a strong fire burning inside him to achieve as much as he can within the game. He is a quality performer who will ensure we have the depth to maintain our ability to be really competitive across all the formats over a demanding season."