Skipper van Buuren signs ‘long-term’ deal
CLUB captain Graeme van Buuren has signed a long-term contract extension at Gloucestershire.
The 31-year-old, who has made Bristol his home since signing for the club in 2016, said: “It’s a huge privilege to have signed a contract extension with Gloucestershire, a club that’s been a huge part of mine and my family’s life for the last six years.
“We have made some amazing friends at Gloucestershire and I’m loving every minute of my time here.
“We have had a difficult year in terms of results but I 100% believe that we have a squad that can do great things in the future.”
Having featured in Gloucestershire’s first five County Championship matches, van Buuren missed the entire Vitality Blast campaign with a shoulder injury sustained fielding against Somerset in May, but made an impressive return to red ball cricket in July.
The skipper averaged 68.5 in three Championship games at Cheltenham College, hitting an unbeaten 127 against Northants to set up an aggressive declaration before Gloucestershire lost by two wickets on the final day.
All-rounder van Buuren has represented Gloucestershire on 109 occasions in all formats, passing the 3,000-run mark against Northants, in addition to taking his 77th wicket against Hampshire in May.
The new deal comes after the middle-order batter was unable to participate in several games during the 2021 season, due to a delay in becoming a British citizen and qualifying as a domestic player.
After returning from Birmingham Phoenix at the end of The Hundred competition, van Buuren will look to continue his form in Division One, as the club seeks to turn around its fortunes and avoid relegation.
Gloucestershire’s performance director Steve Snell said: “We’re delighted Graeme has signed a longterm extension, he is a terrific player and a terrific human being who leads by example on and off the pitch.
“There have been some tough times this season but Graeme’s character has shone through in abundance. It was particularly pleasing in the last four-day game at Cheltenham to see him lead from the front with the bat.
“I firmly believe Graeme has a huge future and a lot of cricket left to play for Gloucestershire, and I’m very excited to see him commit his future to the club.”