Alfonso Thomas, the former South Africa quick bowler, has signed a new one-year contract with Somerset for 2009.

Thomas is a Kolpak player and has impressed during this season’s Twenty20 Cup with 11 wickets.

"I am delighted to announce that Alfonso will be staying with Somerset next season,” director of cricket, Brian Rose, told the Somerset website. "He has shown himself to be a class act in Twenty20 cricket, He swings the ball and bowls with a lot of intelligence.

"As well as continuing to be a very good player for us, I expect him to have a very positive influence on our younger bowlers."