Tom Smith has extended his contract with Gloucestershire Cricket by two years, seeing him remain at the club until the end of the 2021 season.

Smith played a key role in Gloucestershire’s 2019 season, featuring regularly in all formats and was a vital player in the squad that secured promotion to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship for the first time since 2004.

Speaking on his contract extension, Smith said: “It is an honour to have been given a contract extension at this fantastic club. With our promotion to Division One and another strong white ball campaign, it is a really exciting time for this group of players. I can’t wait to contribute to the next two seasons.

It has been a very tough couple of years off the field for me personally, and I can’t thank Gloucestershire CCC enough for all the support they have given me and my family.”

The Cheltenham Cricket Festival proved to be the turning point for Smith and Gloucestershire when he started to bat at number four in the competition. Smith made a vital 84 off 230 balls in the first innings against Leicestershire, one half of a 195-run partnership with Captain Chris Dent.

In the following match, Tom went on to score 83 off 220 balls in the first innings of Gloucestershire’s victory against Worcestershire at The Festival. Smith finished the County Championship campaign with an impressive average of 32.62.

Smith took eight wickets in eight matches in the Royal London One-Day Cup, his best figures of 3/7 coming in the opening match win over Surrey at The Bristol County Ground.

He also took eight wickets in the Vitality Blast and played a vital role in Gloucestershire’s victory against rivals Somerset in the final home group match at Bristol. He was awarded player of the match for his figures of 3/19.

Gloucestershire Head Coach Richard Dawson said: “Everyone at the Club is delighted that Tom has extended his contract. He played a huge part in the promotion push, especially the two weeks at Cheltenham, and had a very good season in both white ball competitions.

He continues to be a role model for the youngsters coming into the club and a senior figure in the changing room and I’m looking forward to him continuing to add to the Club on and off the field.”