Free state

Somerset County Cricket Club: South African all-rounder Migael Pretorius is set to return to the Cooper Associates County Ground in 2026 after signing a multi-format contract with Somerset County Cricket Club. The 30-year-old will be available for the entire duration of next season, the club confirmed in Taunton on Monday.

Pretorius, who hails from Vereeniging in Gauteng province of South Africa, first joined Somerset in 2024, making an instant impact with both bat and ball. That season, he scored 324 runs and took 23 wickets in eight County Championship matches, quickly becoming a fan favourite among teammates, members and supporters alike.

He returned to Taunton this year and featured in 12 matches across all three formats, claiming 33 wickets and scoring 240 runs. Pretorius played a pivotal role on the final day, taking three for 27 and scoring 12 from three balls in the semifinal as Somerset went on to win the Vitality Blast for the second time in three years.