SOMERSET County Cricket Club has announced that Australian batsman Matthew Wade will not be joining the club this summer, due to a knee injury.

Cricket Australia has advised Somerset that the 32-year-old will require at least a sustained period of rest following the conclusion of Australia’s ODI series against New Zealand.

Wade was due to play in the first seven County Championship matches of the 2020 season, having scored nearly 8,000 runs at an average of 41.25 in First Class cricket.

Following the announcement, Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: “Obviously this is disappointing news for Matthew, but injuries are part and parcel of the game.

"I know that our members and supporters were looking forward to seeing a player of his calibre lining up for us this summer and we share in their disappointment.

“We wish Matthew a quick recovery and we appreciate the correspondence and updates from Cricket Australia.”

Matthew Wade said: “It’s a big blow.

"I was looking forward to the challenge of playing county cricket in England this summer, but after discussions with the Cricket Australia medical team, regrettably it became clear that I wouldn’t be in a position to join Somerset.”