Somerset have again signed Chris Gayle for the early stages of this summer's NatWest T20 Blast - a six-game stint ending against Hampshire at Taunton.

The West Indies batsman scored 328 runs in just three games for the club in last season's competition and has continued his prolific form in Australia's Big Bash League with the Melbourne Renegades.

He will not arrive in time for Somerset's opening game against Kent on May 20 but will feature in their next six games, beginning against Sussex on June 1 and ending against Hampshire on Sunday, June 19.

His stint will end with his second game against Hampshire in as many seasons, following his match-winning 85 not out (49 balls, eight sixes) against James Vince's side last June.

Somerset director of cricket Matt Maynard said: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of Chris Gayle once again. He is a genuinely world-class player and was absolutely phenomenal for us last year.

"Taunton was absolutely rocking when he was out in the middle last year and Somerset fans can look forward to more of the same in 2016."

Gayle added: "I really enjoyed my time at Somerset last year. It's a great club and the supporters were absolutely incredible.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the fans again and to scoring some more runs. Hopefully I can help the club make it through to the later stages of the NatWest T20 Blast."

There is the potential for Gayle to return later in the season should Somerset reach the knock-out stages.

Gayle scored 260 runs in the BBL at an average of 32.50 and a strike rate of 155.68, but his campaign was marred by controversy over sexist comments the the 36-year-old made to Channel 10's pitchside reporter Mel McLaughlin.

During a mid-game interview, Gayle asked a visibly uncomfortable McLaughlin out for a drink, adding: "Don't blush, baby."

Those comments were criticised by former Australia opener Chris Rogers - Somerset's main overseas player this season, and Gayle's Sydney Thunder team-mate in a previous BBL season.

Rogers - who will not play in the T20 Blast - began his remarks to Sydney's ABC Radio earlier this month by saying: "It's difficult because he could be at Somerset with me next season."

But he added: "From my time at the Thunder I was very disappointed with his attitude and his behaviour, and I've not been a fan since. People see these one-offs, but this is a pattern of behaviour.

"If I had been at the Thunder the next season, it would have been my advice that he wouldn't have been anywhere near the set-up."

Somerset CEO Guy Lavender, though, praised Gayle's character as well as his batting.

Lavender said: "Chris Gayle was outstanding for us last year. Not only did he score a tremendous amount of runs in a way that only he can, he also went out of his way to involve himself in the community projects that we carry out.

"The master-class that he ran for over 30 of our junior supporters was typical of how he willingly gave his time for free to inspire the next generation of young cricketers.

"Everyone sees the runs that he scores but not everyone will be aware of his willingness to help off the pitch.

"It is these two elements which have maintained our desire to ensure that he would be back with us in 2016."