GLOUCESTERSHIRE will be able to call on Tom Smith for their crucial Yorkshire Bank 40 (YB40) games against Somerset and Leicestershire next week after his loan spell from Middlesex was extended.

The left-arm spinner originally joined for the duration of the Friends Life t20 group stages to cover for the injured Ed Young and suspended Jack Taylor, but has impressed during his spell with the club and a deal was reached with his parent county in time for him to play in the County Championship clash against Northants, which started last Friday.

Gloucestershire return to YB40 action at Taunton on Sunday (1.45pm) after an eight-week break from the competition with Somerset only above them at the top of Group C on run rate having played a game more.

Smith will also be available to face Leicestershire at Bristol two days later (1.45pm) but will then return to Middlesex and could even play against Gloucestershire at Lord’s next Thursday.

Gloucestershire’s County Championship promotion hopes are still alive after Chris Dent hit an unbeaten century to secure a draw at second-placed Northants on Monday.

The left-handed opening batsman scored 129 not out and shared a first wicket stand of 190 with captain Michael Klinger (78) to save the game on the final day with Gloucestershire reaching 227-1 in their second innings – a lead of 18 – when both sides agreed to bring the game to an end at 5pm.

Although Gloucestershire took eight points to Northants’ 11 and are now 27 points behind their promotion rivals in Division Two, the result ensured they moved up to third and remain in touch with five games left.

Hamish Marshall scored 145 in Gloucestershire’s first innings total of 358, but they faced a battle to avoid defeat when Northants opened up a big lead with David Sales hitting 255 not out and Kyle Coetzer scoring 122 before they declared on 567-4.

Thornbury off-spinner and Gloucestershire Academy player Tom Shrewsbury was handed his first class debut and took his first wicket when he had Stephen Peters (87) caught behind by Gareth Roderick to break an opening stand of 170 with Coetzer.

It came after the 18-year-old’s shock selection for the final Friends Life t20 group game against Glamorgan at Cardiff, although he only bowled one over, which went for just three runs, in the home side’s total of 141-5.

Klinger struck 86 not out to lead Gloucestershire to a nine-wicket victory and end Glamorgan’s hopes of qualifying from the Midlands, Wales and West Division.