The 32-year-old was mentioned as a potential Australian representative in the Daily Telegraph after capturing eight for 136 for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground recently.
"As far as right-arm offspinners are concerned, the unlikely Somerville stands head and shoulders above anyone else in domestic cricket" the Telegraph reported yesterday, labelling Somerville "the next cab off the rank".
It would be an extraordinary turnaround for Somerville. He played four first-class games for Otago from 2005 to 2008 and certainly had potential. He had Nathan McCullum ahead of him, though, and the Wellington-born accountant tried his luck with Canterbury before moving back to Sydney and the opportunities to play at the top level dried up.
He played grade cricket in Sydney and it was six years before he got another chance to play first-class cricket. For the past three seasons, he has provided back-up for Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe.
"He might have been one who slipped through the cracks," former Otago captain Craig Cumming said.
"As a captain, I don’t recall ever throwing him the ball but he was talented.
"I always remember he got bounce because of his height and he was a fantastic slipper with great hands."
Somerville took three for 26 on debut for Otago against Wellington. Among his victims were Jesse Ryder and the experienced Neal Parlane. But his first real act at the top level was to dive full length to his left and take a wonderful catch to help dismiss Luke Woodcock.
"He had the ability to turn the ball and get bounce but ... there was only so many contracts and he could not quite get one. So he went back to Sydney because that is where the family was from."
Somerville, who has played eight first-class games for NSW and four games for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash, holds dual citizenship but told the Telegraph he would embrace an opportunity to represent Australia should he get the chance.
"I played for Otago and I’ve still got my New Zealand citizenship. I was born there, and I’m a dual national but I’m in Australia and I want to play cricket here.
"That’s what I’m enjoying doing and I’m hoping to continue to do that for a while, hopefully."
Somerville had to persevere during his six-year absence from the top level.
"I stuck at it. I always believed that I had some skills that were going to be good at the next level and I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity.
"It did take a while and I had a job as well, so my life was always really busy and I was just enjoying doing other things I suppose."
"And then an opportunity came about and it’s been a wonderful change in my life becoming a full-time cricketer.
"Getting really fit over the last couple of years has made a big difference to my bowling as well and my performance has gone up too."
Somerville's parents, Richard and Di, live in Wanaka.
