Somerset seam bowler Riley Meredith will miss the first six games of the T20 Blast campaign after being selected by Australia for their series against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meredith had returned to Somerset for a third season this summer for the entire Blast competition, having been part of the side that won last year’s title and reached the final in 2024.

But the 29-year-old will now take part in the One-Day International series in Pakistan and International T20 tour of Bangladesh between 30 May and 14 June.

He will return to Somerset for their derby against Gloucestershire on 26 June, meaning he will miss games at home to Hampshire ( 22 May), away at Warwickshire (24 May) and Glamorgan (29 May), at home to Glamorgan (4 June), away at Gloucestershire (5 June) and away at Warwickshire (7 June).

Meredith was the top wicket-taker during the 2025 Blast, with 28 wickets in 14 matches.

“Representing your country is the highest honour that you can achieve in sport and we are obviously pleased for Riley,” said Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry.

“The current schedule of world cricket means that this kind of situation can always arise, and we will be working behind the scenes to understand all our options moving forward until Riley is available later in June.”

Gloucestershire all-rounder Liam Scott will also be unavailable for the same number of T20 Blast matches having been included in the Australia squad.