Corey Anderson signs for a second stint with Somerset for T20 Blast

English county heavyweights Somerset have re-signed the services of New Zealand international Corey Anderson for the upcoming season of T20 Blast. The 27-year-old played just four matches in the 2017 campaign before injury brought a premature end to his stay in Taunton.

However, what comes as a silver lining, the big-hitting Kiwi batsman will be available for all of this summer’s tournament. Anderson scored 142 runs in the four matches he played for Somerset last summer at a staggering strike rate of 184.42, including 81 from just 45 balls on his debut against Surrey at the Oval.

With his tryst with injuries putting him out of favor with the national selectors and a few T20 sides around the globe, the 26-year-old will be hoping to use the Vitality T20 Blast as a springboard to showcase his renewed fitness.

Speaking to Somerset’s official website, an upbeat Anderson said, “I’m delighted to be heading to Somerset for the 2018 NatWest T20 Blast. Having been unable to fulfill a contract at Somerset a few years ago due to injury, I’m excited to finally get the opportunity to play for such a distinguished club. Somerset have a strong squad that is looking to challenge on all fronts this season and I hope I can play my part as we push for the T20 title.”

Highlights from Anderson’s international career

The New Zealand all-rounder has donned the national outfit in 29 T20Is, with a top score of 94 not out from 41 balls where he hit 10 sixes against Bangladesh in January 2017, and has featured in exactly 100 domestic T20 matches in competitions around the world.

Anderson, who can also come in handy with the ball scored a 36-ball century for New Zealand against West Indies in January 2014, an innings which broke the then record for the fastest ever ODI hundred, a feat now held by South African batting stalwart AB de Villiers.