SOMERSET have been rocked by the news that key batsman Adam Hose has decided to leave the club and join Warwickshire with immediate effect.

Despite the offer of a three year contract from Somerset, Hose has chosen to depart, initially on loan until the end of the season, with playing caveats in place to ensure Somerset are not disadvantaged in any way in the Specsavers County Championship or NatWest T20 Blast during the remainder of the 2017 season.

The 24-year-old had established himself as a regular in all three formats this season and scored his first century for the club in the victory over Gloucestershire in May.

However, the batsman has decided his future lies at Edgbaston despite the fact that, barring a miraculous recovery, Warwickshire will be playing Division Two County Championship cricket in 2018.

Director of cricket Matt Maynard said: “We are extremely disappointed that Adam has chosen to leave Somerset after the club invested time and effort in helping to develop him as cricketer and giving him the opportunity to play first XI cricket.

“Ultimately, we must have players that are totally committed to the club. We do of course wish Adam well in his future cricketing career."

Hose represented Hampshire’s youth team, the Second XIs of both Glamorgan and Worcestershire and the MCC Young Cricketers before arriving in Taunton, and he made his Somerset debut in July 2015 against Hampshire in the Natwest T20 Blast.

The following year brought a First Class bow against Pakistan, in which Hose scored 10 and eight opening the batting against the international attack.

Thereafter, the batsman primarily made his name against the white ball but forced his way into the Championship side as a result of his impressive limited overs performances and scored 62 in the side’s first four-day victory of the season against Yorkshire in Scarborough earlier this month.

Having started his Somerset career as an opener, Hose dropped down the order to great effect this season and scored 330 runs at an average of 55 in the Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, which included two half-centuries as well as the aforementioned 101 not out against Gloucestershire.

As a player with his best years in front of him, Hose’s departure will be keenly felt by Somerset, who will now embark on their survival bid without one of this season’s few bright spots.

Hose will play no part in this evening's T20 match against Hampshire - see our live blog from 4.45.