Jake Ball: Former England and Notts pace bowler signs for Somerset

Jake Ball has taken over 200 first-class wickets at an average of 29.38, with a best of 6-49

Right-arm seamer Jake Ball has signed for Somerset on an two-year deal.

The 32-year-old, who played four Test matches, 18 one-day internationals and two T20 internationals for England, also has the option of a third year.

Ball became the first England bowler to take five wickets on his 50-over debut against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2016, with figures of 5-51.

He spent 15 years with Nottinghamshire where he took 423 wickets for the county across all formats.

But back injuries limited Ball to bowling mainly in the T20 Blast for Notts this season, where they were knocked out by eventual winners Somerset at the quarter-final stage.

"I'm really looking forward to this new challenge," Ball told the Somerset club website.

"Somerset have got a great bunch of lads, and their ambition was one of the things that really attracted me to the club.

"I genuinely believe that this group of players have what it takes to challenge for the Championship and build on the success of wining this season's Vitality Blast."

Ball made the last of his 24 England appearances against India in Bristol, in July 2018, in a T20 international.

He joins a Somerset side that has seen veteran paceman Jack Brooks leave at the end of the season, while a number of seamers have injury concerns.

"He will really complement our outstanding attack, whilst the knowledge and experience that he will bring to the dressing room will be of huge benefit to our aspirational bowlers and their development," Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said.

"He has a genuine desire to win games of cricket and it was very much apparent during our discussions that there remains a strong fire burning inside him to achieve as much as he can within the game.

"He is a quality performer who will ensure we have the depth to maintain our ability to be really competitive across all the formats over a demanding season."