AFTER a winter of speculation as to who would be replacing Chris Rogers as Somerset’s overseas player, the club have today announced that South African international batsman Dean Elgar will be returning for a second spell with the county, writes Paul Martin.

The 29-year-old left-hander had a brief spell with Somerset in 2013, playing three first class matches in which he averaged 24.60.

He enjoyed slightly more success in the shorter form of the game, most notably scoring a half century against Glamorgan to help the Cidermen to a three-wicket win.

In the time since his previous spell in the Westcountry, Elgar has established himself in the South African line-up and is likely to miss part of the domestic season to represent his country against England this summer.

He is currently enjoying a successful winter with the Proteas and was this week named Man of the Series after scoring 308 runs in five innings against Sri Lanka.

Elgar also notched up an impressive century against Australia in Perth as South Africa earned a famous series win Down Under prior to Christmas.

Fans of the domestic game may also recall Elgar’s stint with Surrey in 2015, which saw him average 53.66 from three innings and included a highest score of 98.

Bridgwater Mercury:

SUCCESS: Dean Elgar was named Man of the Series for South Africa against Sri Lanka this winter.

Elgar said: "I really enjoyed my time at Somerset back in 2013 and I’m looking forward to going back. 

"The Club is in a really good place at the moment and I’m pleased that I’m going to be a part of that. 

"They were unlucky not to win the title last year and I hope that I can help them go one better in 2017."

The arrival of Elgar gives director of cricket Matt Maynard options with regard to the top of the order.

The 29-year-old has been opening the batting for his country in recent months so could slot in alongside Marcus Trescothick, a move which would see newly-installed captain Tom Abell drop down to number three.

Alternatively, Elgar could come in as a like-for-like replacement for last year’s captain Rogers and come in at the fall of the first wicket – much may depend on how successfully Abell can juggle his leadership responsibilities with opening the batting.

Maynard said: "He has all the characteristics that you want in a player. 

“He’s a fighter, he battles hard and he brings the sort of gritty determination that the members and supporters will appreciate. 

"He has a good array of shots and is a top class fielder. 

"He is a 100% man and the kind of person who will absolutely buy in to the values that this Club holds dear," he added.

“Over the last couple of years he has proved himself to be an excellent batsman but there is more to his game than that. 

"He will also offer us a more than useful option with his left arm spin. 

"We were not the only County interested in securing his services for 2017 so we are delighted that he will be with us."

The club are yet to announce whether they will be recruiting another overseas player to cover Elgar’s likely absence during July’s Test series against England, which coincides with the domestic T20 Blast competition.

Elgar has played just six one-day internationals to date, but his recent upturn in form could earn him an international recall in the shorter form of the game.

If so, he may also be required to compete for his country in June’s ICC Champions Trophy.