GLOUCESTERSHIRE have secured the long-term services of in-form batsman Will Tavare.
Recruited last winter on a 12-month contract, the 24-year-old has penned a new three-year deal after exceeding all expectations during his debut season on the county circuit.
Tavare has enjoyed a breakthrough season, cementing his place in Gloucestershire's LV=County Championship side and establishing himself as the leading run-scorer in first class cricket.
Upon breaking into the team, the former Bristol Grammar School pupil made an immediate impression, becoming only the eighth Gloucestershire player to register a century on Championship debut.
He has contributed two further hundreds since then, the latest coming in last week's Cheltenham Festival contest against Derbyshire last week, and three 50s, and has scored 821 first-class runs at an average of 49.61.
Eager to secure the services of their best young players, Gloucestershire offered Tavare improved terms before rival counties could show an interest.
Club chief executive Will Brown confirmed: "We have made keeping our best young players and certain key individuals a priority and Will Tavare falls into that bracket.
"More than half of our players have come through our Academy and Will is another local lad who has come through. It shows that talented young players are given a chance at Gloucestershire and we are very proud of that
"We has delivered time and time again this summer and has been one of our most consistent performers.
"The contract he has signed recognises that fact.
"Will has been around for a while, but took himself off to university and has come back a more mature individual. He is a level-headed guy and has got his head down and worked hard."
Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger, star all-rounder Will Gidman, seam bowlers David Payne and Graeme McCarter and teenage spinner Tom Shrewsbury are all out of contract at the end of this season.
The county has already made overtures to Klinger and Gidman, but the pair continue to keep their options open and their futures remain uncertain.
Brown added: "We have a number of guys out of contract and we will have a better idea of what shape the squad will take for next season following an appraisal process in August."
Meanwhile paceman Craig Miles could make his long-awaited return from a back injury when local rivals Worcester ride into town for the start of the second week of the Cheltenham Cricket Festvial.
But wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick is facing another three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from a broken finger.
Roderick's setback will mean Adam Rouse's stint with the County will be extended into a second month and he will don the gloves for the visit of Division Two leaders who are without star spinner Saeed Ajmal.
