Ronchi replaces Anderson for Somerset

Somerset have signed up New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi to replace injured compatriot Corey Anderson for the five remaining games in the group stage of the NatWest t20 Blast.

Ronchi will join Somerset ahead of their Middlesex fixture on June 26 and will be available for the home matches against Glamorgan and Gloucestershire, and the away matches against Kent and Surrey.

Ronchi has been a regular in the New Zealand limited-overs side over the last two years and made his Test debut against England in Leeds recently, scoring a 70-ball 88 in the first innings. He averages 32.87 in T20 internationals with 263 runs from 15 games. In T20s overall, Ronchi has scored 1074 runs in 75 matches at an average of 18.84.

Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard welcomed Ronchi's inclusion. "Luke is a quality player with plenty of International experience," Maynard said. "Any new addition must add something to the squad and he will certainly do that. He is an excellent 'keeper, an explosive batsman and I am sure that our Members and supporters will enjoy the brand of cricket that he plays."

Somerset had signed Anderson for the latter half of the season but were forced to make a change after the allrounder suffered a back injury which ruled him out of New Zealand's tour of England. The team is currently sixth on the South Group points table with five points from six games.