ROELOF van der Merwe is leaving Somerset ahead of the start of the new cricket season.

The Netherlands international has explained: “My family is based in South Africa. With the English white ball season now running from May until September, that’s a long time to be away from my wife and children.”

The all rounder, 40, first came to Somerset in 2011 when he signed a short-term contract. He returned in 2016 and has gone on to establish himself as an integral member of the First XI squad. His inspirational performances have seen him awarded with his county cap, and in 2019 he played a key role in Somerset’s Royal London Cup triumph.

He also played an important part in the Somerset squad that went on to lift the Vitality Blast in 2023. He broke the record for the highest score by a Somerset player in a 50-over match when he made 165 not out against Surrey in 2017.