Taylor brothers sign extended county deals
» GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S T20 captain Jack Taylor and his younger brother Matt have put pen to paper on new contracts that will see them remain at the club until the end of the 2022 season.
Jack, who led Gloucestershire as captain to a first T20 Finals Day in 13 seasons, said: “I am thrilled to extend my stay here. Gloucestershire is my home club and it’s a huge part of my life.
“I’ve also loved the opportunity to captain in this year’s Vitality Blast. I’m looking forward to what this team can achieve over the next couple of years.”
Head coach Richard Dawson added: “He’s been an important part of the changing room for a number of seasons and has shown solid leadership skills this season captaining the T20 side.”
Matt, a 26-year-old left-arm fast bowler, graduated from the academy and made his first appearance for The Shire in a List-a match in 2011.
Matt said: “I love playing for this great Club and feel as though we are moving in a positive direction.
“I hope I can contribute to us winning more trophies and having continued success on and off the field.”
Matt played a major role in the Bob Willis Trophy for Gloucestershire, bowling the second highest number of overs (115) and taking 11 wickets with his best figures of 3/43 coming against Glamorgan at Cardiff.
He was also a key player in the T20 side that made it to Finals Day for the first time since 2007.
He took eight wickets in the Vitality Blast including 3/29 against the Birmingham Bears at Bristol.
On Matt’s new deal, Dawson said: “He’s been an important part of our bowling attack over the past few seasons and we look forward to continuing his development with the club.”
Matt has taken more than 200 wickets for Gloucestershire in all formats. During last year’s County Championship promotion winning season, Matt took 29 wickets and only Ryan Higgins and David Payne bowled more overs for the Club.
Older brotherjack made his debut for Gloucestershire more than a decade ago and sits joint sixth on the club’s all-time T20 appearances list.
He is seventh on the all-time T20 run scorers list with 1058 runs at a strike rate of 144.14.
This season, he has added 130 runs so far at an average of 26 while leading the team to seven group stage victories.
» SPINNER George Drissell, 21, will not be offered a new contract by Gloucestershire and departs after making seven first-class and one List-a appearance.
The Bristol-born player came through the academy and made his debut in 2017.
His first wicket came at Cheltenham in 2018 and he has taken eight wickets, with 4/83 against Glamorgan in 2019 his best return in an innings.
Dawson said: “George has been a popular member of our changing room and it’s a shame to see him go.”