William Somerville

A classical right-arm off-break bowler, William Somerville is a professional cricketer for the Blackcaps. Born in Wellington, he moved to Australia as a child and played junior cricket for the Eastern Suburbs in Sydney before he headed to New Zealand to complete his higher studies. 

Somerville made his first-class debut for Dunedin-based Otago back in 2005. He later moved back to Australia to play Grade Cricket in Sydney and earned a callup from New South Wales in 2014. However, opportunities were limited as he was competing with the likes of Nathan Lyon and Steven O’Keefe.

The 37-year old spinner had a breakout season in 2016-17, picking up 35 wickets in seven Sheffield Sheild matches and received his maiden call-up from New Zealand’s Test side. In June 2018, Somerville asked NSW to release him from his contract so he could feature for the Blackcaps. He finally, made his much-awaited Test debut against Pakistan on December 3rd, 2018 in Abu Dhabi. He was sensational on his debut scalping 4 wickets for 75 runs in just his first innings at the highest level.

At the age of 37, the veteran earned another call-up from his country to tour the Indians in November 2021. A towering off-spinner with a symphonic action who is capable of tying the batters with tight lines, Somerville is in the twilight of his career and would be hoping to end it on a high.

(As of November 2021)