It was viewed as a groundbreaking move, indicative of the growing divide between limited-overs and first-class cricket. While many players have taken up white-ball contracts, often while simultaneously retiring from red-ball, none had done so at such a young age.

However, after a hamstring injury ruled him out of last summer's Hundred, Smeed found playing time for Somerset in the Second XI County Championship, which prompted a rethink.

"I'm desperate to play more cricket than I did last summer," Smeed said. "I picked up an injury last summer and it felt like I hadn't really played any cricket. I played a few second XI red-ball games towards the end of last year and really enjoyed it. That's when I started to think that this would be a good option.

"Watching how the team went about things in the Championship last year was great and some of the wins were absolutely insane. It would be crazy to not want to be a part of that team."

Smeed, who scored a red-ball hundred for the second XI when he was just 16, has played almost exclusively T20 cricket in his career to date, with his one List A appearance coming for England Lions. In 2022, he became the first player to score a century in the Hundred, and was soon in demand on the franchise circuit, playing in the CPL, PSL and SA20.

Somerset director of cricket, Andy Hurry said: "We all know Will has a huge amount of potential, and his return to multi-day cricket will certainly add depth to our County Championship batting options.

"When he initially signed a white-ball contract, he always made it clear that the door was not closed to the red-ball game, and I know our members and supporters will be excited by the prospect of him now being available to be considered for selection in all formats for the club that he loves."