Neil Wagner: Somerset sign New Zealand paceman until end of season

Neil Wagner has taken 258 wickets in Test cricket for New Zealand

Somerset have signed New Zealand left-arm paceman Neil Wagner on a deal for the remainder of the season.

He will be available for three County Championship matches in September.

Wagner, 37, who has taken 258 wickets in 67 Tests for the Kiwis at an average of 27.50, has had previous stints with Essex, Lancashire and Northamptonshire.

He replaces fellow Kiwi Matt Henry, who is part of the white-ball squad that faces England in four ODIs and four T20s.

Henry, 31, took 32 wickets in six Championship games and was a key part of the Somerset team that won the T20 Blast last month.

Wagner will not feature in any of the One-Day Cup fixtures this month, but will be eligible to make his debut against Hampshire on 3 September when the Championship resumes.

The veteran seamer had originally signed to play the opening 10 Championship matches of the season for Yorkshire, but the deal did not come to fruition after Wagner sustained an injury over the winter.

"We have been working extremely hard to secure the services of a quality international bowler for the last three red-ball fixtures of the season," Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry told the club's website.

"Neil is a proven performer at the very highest level and has vast experience as well as a thorough understanding of Championship cricket."