Somerset sign up Du Plessis

Somerset have signed South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis as their second overseas player for the FL t20 after Chris Gayle's withdrawal.

The county also confirmed that they are considering legal action against Gayle after he backed out of a signed contract to play Twenty20 for them.

Gayle agreed the deal in January, but on Thursday confirmed that he was reneging on it because he wanted to play for the West Indies again after finally settling his differences with the board.

That prompted Somerset to call on Du Plessis, who joins his countryman Albie Morkel at the club.

"You're not going to sign another player like Chris Gayle anywhere in the world, so we will adjust ourselves to playing to the strengths of du Plessis and Albie Morkel, who are both fine cricketers," Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose told the BBC.

"Du Plessis is an outstanding world-class fielder for one thing, but he's now got an exceptional record in one-day cricket and is doing a fine job in the IPL, and he also bowls legspin so I'm delighted to be able to sign him."

Du Plessis is currently fifth on the list of the IPL's top run-getters - two places below Gayle - with 334 runs for the Chennai Super Kings at an average of 37.

However he is likely to miss the start of Somerset's campaign, which begins on June 13, because of South Africa's five Twenty20 matches in Zimbabwe from June 20-24.

Meanwhile Somerset chief executive Guy Lavender confirmed that the club were considering taking Gayle to court.

"A contract is a contract and we are exploring our options and will decide what is best for Somerset in due course," Lavender told the county's website.

"We are very disappointed that Chris Gayle will not be joining us for this season's FLt20, particularly as we have a signed contract and a no objection certificate from the West Indies Cricket Board."