Du Plessis to replace Gayle at Somerset

Faf du Plessis will be joining Somerset - subject to all necessary clearance - as their second overseas player for the FLt20. Du Plessis, the 27-year-old South Africa allrounder, will replace Chris Gayle, who has pulled out of his deal with the club in order to make himself available for the West Indies.

As things stand, Somerset hope that du Plessis will be available for the duration of the competition. He may, however, be involved in South Africa's five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe that runs until June 24. Somerset's T20 campaign begins on June 13, meaning du Plessis could miss as many as five games.

"We have signed him subject to clearance," Brian Rose, Somerset's director of cricket, told ESPNcricinfo. "We are waiting to hear whether he will be required by South Africa but, even if he is, we are unlikely to sign another overseas player."