Proteas opening batsman Dean Elgar has agreed to join English county side Somerset as an overseas player, retaining his links with the national side.

This will come as relieving news to Proteas coach Russell Domingo, who has seen a number of players, led by Kyle Abbott, David Wiese, Rilee Rossouw and Stiaan van Zyl, cutting ties with the national side by accepting Kolpak contracts.

Durham and Yorkshire are understood to have registered some interest in recruiting Elgar, but Somerset was always his preferred option after he enjoyed his previous stint at the club in 2013. He averaged just 24.60 in his brief Championship stint (he only had five innings) but is said to have fitted in well in the dressing room.

Somerset director of cricket Matt Maynard celebrated Elgar’s signing, saying: ‘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 will also offer us a more than useful option with his left-arm spin.’

One bonus for the Proteas is that he will gain valuable game time in England conditions ahead of the four-Test tour there.

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