Somerset have added another impressive A-lister to their Twenty20 ranks with the signing of South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel.

The 30-year-old will arrive in place of his fellow countryman Roelof van der Merwe, who may fall foul of work permit restrictions, as Somerset’s second overseas player for this summer’s Twenty20 Cup.

Somerset have already signed West Indian superstar Chris Gayle for the competition.

A left-handed batsman and right-arm, medium-fast bowler, Morkel played in four out of five matches in the recent one-day series between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

In total he has played one Test match, 55 one-day internationals and 31 Twenty20 matches for the Proteas.

Somerset’s director of cricket Brian Rose said: “Albie is an immensely gifted cricketer and especially exciting one-day player and fits in well with our set up in the T20. The combination of Gayle and Morkel is a mouth watering prospect for our supporters.”

It had been planned that Van der Merwe would join Somerset as an overseas player from June 1, which would incorporate the Twenty20 competition, and remain for the second half of the season,

Rose said: “As we went through the paperwork it became apparent that Roelof was unlikely to be granted a work permit due to current Home Office legislation, though the door remains open for him at Somerset if the situation can be resolved.”