Ben Phillips, the former Northamptonshire allrounder, has joined Somerset after moving for family reasons.

Brian Rose, the director of cricket, told the club websote: "When we learned he wanted to leave Northants for family reasons we acted quickly and I believe he will be a big asset.

"Ben can open the bowling, but he is also good at operating in mid-innings and at the death."

Phillips asked to leave Northants with a year remaining on his contract as his family had struggled to settle in the area.