SOMERSET captain Justin Langer will play in the new Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament which takes place in March and April 2008.

But the Australian batsman, who is currently back Down Under' playing for his native Western Australia, said he will be back in time for the start of the first class season in England.

Langer's involvement in the new venture means he could be eligible to play for three teams in the inaugural World Club Twenty20 Trophy in 2008 - Somerset, Western Australia and his Indian side.

However, Somerset would need to win their domestic Twenty20 Cup in 2008.

l SOMERSET have signed West Indian Test all rounder Omari Banks on a two-year deal.

But the 25-year-old off spinner and middle order batsman will not count as an overseas or Kolpak player as he holds a British passport because he hails from the British Protectorate of Anguilla.

This summer, Banks appeared in a match for Somerset 2nd XI against Hampshire, scoring 116 and 69, and taking 5-94.

Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose said: "Omari is a great signing and will give us strength in depth in key positions, which is what we are going to need when we compete in the top divisions next season.

"He will be a huge asset to us and will be very dangerous in one-day cricket and the Twenty20 Cup."

Banks has played in ten Test matches and five One-Day internationals. In Tests, he has made 318 runs at an average of 26.50 and taken 28 wickets at a cost of 48.82. Banks plays for the Leeward Islands in the West Indies.

Somerset are expecting to hear shortly whether South African Test batsman Neil McKenzie will be joining them as a Kolpak player for the coming season.

During his short time at the County Ground this summer, McKenzie was a great success and scored a total of 271 runs at an average of almost 68 in his three championship matches.