Graeme Smith set to join Somerset

South Africa captain Graeme Smith is set to join English county Somerset at the end of the Proteas' tour of the West Indies next May.

The 23-year-old Smith is waiting for United Cricket Board (UCB) approval before signing a one-year contract that will make him captain of the division two side.

All rounder Albie Morkel, who has played three one-day internationals for South Africa, will join Smith at Somerset.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me and Albie, and playing county cricket is something I have always wanted to do," Smith told Reuters on Wednesday from the national squad's camp in Pretoria ahead of their two-Test tour of India starting next week.

Smith, however, remains aware that the UCB could yet scupper the deal.

"My first loyalties are to South African cricket and the UCB, and they have yet to approve the deal," he said.

"I'm hopeful they will see it as beneficial for all of us."

UCB media manager Gerald de Kock said the board was considering the request.

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"All contracted players need clearance from the UCB before they can play domestic cricket in other countries."

Both Smith and Morkel, also 23, are contracted to the UCB.

Smith, who in 2003 was appointed South Africa's youngest captain at 22, was grateful for the opportunity to improve his leadership skills.

"The chance to gain a season of captaincy experience made it all the more tempting."

CONTROVERSIAL CHOICE

South Africa's tour to the Caribbean is scheduled to end on May 15 next year and their next engagement is a home series against New Zealand in October.

That would leave Smith and Morkel free to ply their trade for most of the English domestic season, which generally runs from April to the end of September.

Smith was a controversial choice as captain after Shaun Pollock was sacked in the wake of South Africa's failed World Cup campaign.

He had played only eight Tests and 22 one-day internationals and had no significant experience as a captain.

But he silenced his critics by scoring 277, the highest Test score by a South African, against England in Birmingham in the first Test of the 2003 tour, and 259 in the second Test at Lord's.