Somerset are suffering from the ‘Gayle Force’ effect, after signing West Indian all-rounder Chris Gayle for next season’s Twenty20 campaign.

Telephones have not stopped ringing and membership sales has rocketed over the past few days since the county made the announcement.

England one day wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter said: “They don’t call him the Gayle Force for nothing, and he is a fantastic signing.

“In the past few years, we have attracted some of the world’s greatest cricketers to the County Ground, which shows we are moving in the right direction.

“To be able to play with international performers like him is a fantastic learning experience for all of us. We all know how Chris Gayle plays and what he is capable of, so it will be very interesting to see how he favours Taunton.

“He is a great signing, it’s fantastic for the club and our supporters, but also great for the players. It’s great to be able to play alongside that calibre of performer, and it’s a really exciting prospect.”

The Somerset ’keeper has played against Gayle on several occasions, keeping wicket while he was batting and facing his bowling. “He is obviously a physically imposing character, quite quiet and gets on with his business,” Kieswetter added.

“He has got a bat the size of a tree trunk and whacks the ball as far as he can.

“In all facets of the game, he is a fantastic all-round cricketer and one that definitely adds a lot of strength to our Twenty20 side.”

Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick is equally excited at the prospect of having Gayle in the Somerset side.

“Signing Chris Gayle has generated huge interest since it was announced on Thursday. The news has sent shock waves around the world,” he said.

“It has been picked up on Facebook and Twitter, and everybody is talking about it. The reception from players and the public has been brilliant,” the skipper said.