Paceman pens new deal

9:16am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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SOMERSET paceman Alfonso Thomas has signed a one-year extension to his contract.

The 31-year-old South African Kopak player has been impressive since forcing his way into the first team, particularly in the Twenty20 Cup.

Thomas, who had a spell with Warwickshire last season, was Somerset's top bowler in the competition, sending down 26.2 overs and taking 11 wickets with a quite brilliant economy rate of 6.46.

He said: "I'm delighted to have been given another year's contract at Somerset.

"It is something I have been hoping for ever since I arrived at the County Ground.

"The supporters in the ground and around the town have been absolutely fantastic and the day after my new contract was announced everybody stopped me and congratulated me.

"I now just want to go out there and do the business for the county.

"I never came here with any guarantees. I started off playing for Somerset 2nds and got 13 wickets in two matches which opened the door for me in the firsts.

"Everybody here has been really good to me and I don't feel the need to go anywhere else.

"My fiancée and myself had a walk through the town at the weekend and she loved the place, which is good for me because this is where I am going to be spending at least the next 18 months of my life."