AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Dirk Nannes has signed for Somerset ahead of their NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

The big left-armed fast bowler comes with a huge reputation and is a cricketer who specializes in the T20 form of the game all over the world.

Nannes has represented various teams around the world including his home country Australia in T20 Internationals, the IPL's Dehli Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings, the South African Lions Cricket Franchise, the Australian Big Bash's Sydney Thunder, and more closer to home Middlesex CCC, Nottinghamshire CCC and Surrey CCC.

Nannes has played in 189 Domestic T20 matches to date, where he has taken 222 wickets at an average of 22.24 - along with a miserly runs per over rate just over 7.

Furthermore, he boasts an impressive strike rate of 18.4 and best figures of 5/40.

Somerset Crickets Director of Cricket Dave Nosworthy said: "We are really excited to have signed Dirk Nannes for the NatWest T20 Blast after what has been a rather lengthy and tough search.

"We have always been intent on trying to find a quality international player who was prepared to commit to the entire competition. Dirk fits the bill on both counts. Having previously worked with Dirk I know that he is a very good team man and I have no doubt that his off field contributions will be just as important as his on field performances."

Somerset’s new signing can’t wait to make his mark for the county, saying: "As an outsider, I've always been envious of the long and continued success that Somerset as a club seem to achieve.”

 “It will be good to have the shoe on the other foot, and I will hopefully be able to contribute to a nice winning streak. I am now living very close to Taunton, so it feels like I'll be playing for my local team."