Somerset release McLean

Somerset have released Nixon McLean owing to fitness problems. The West Indian McLean, 31, had previously been their overseas player, but he had been taken on under the Kolpak ruling. However, he has only played eight matches this year, which led the club to take its decision.

Somerset's director of cricket, Brian Rose, confirmed to Cricinfo that it was a catalogue of injuries which had forced the county into letting McLean go, the latest being a hamstring injury, with a thigh problem also proving troublesome earlier in the season. "Regretfully, continuing fitness problems have affected him," Rose explained. "The uncertainty of whether this situation would improve has led the club to make this decision."

McLean originally signed as a replacement for Albie Morkel, who himself had been struggling with an injury. McLean enjoyed a successful season for Somerset last year, capturing 43 wickets at 26 apiece, but he couldn't repeat his form this campaign. McLean has played in 19 Tests for the West Indies and has taken 44 wickets while his 45 one-dayers have produced just 46 wickets.