Dent and Taylor commit to Gloucs

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Chris Dent, who has hit 169 Twenty20 runs at a strike-rate of 118, has extended his contract until the end of the 2014 season

Life may have started at 20 for Gloucestershire duo Chris Dent and Jack Taylor, who have pledged their futures to the club.

Dent, a batsman who will be 21 in January, has signed a two-year contract extension and Taylor, an off-spinner who turned 20 on Saturday, a one-year increase. Both were on deals due to expire at the end of next season.

Of the pair, Dent has delivered most with 1,374 first-class runs at an average of 29. Of those, 649 came this summer at 34, including a maiden first-class century against Surrey at Cheltenham. He has also scored 169 Twenty20 runs at 24 and a strike-rate of 118.

Taylor, who made his full Gloucestershire debut in 2010 - a year after Dent, has taken 22 senior wickets during 17 appearances in all competitions.

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson said: “We are delighted that two more members of the promising young squad we are developing have agreed to have their contracts extended.

“Chris Dent scored his maiden first-class century during the summer and, despite spending some time out with an injured hand, again demonstrated that he can become a real force for us.

“Jack Taylor showed glimpses of his potential when given first-team opportunities and is another player we have very high hopes of.”

Captain Alex Gidman added: “It’s great that another two players have bought into what we are trying to achieve at the club.

“I felt that over the final third of last season Chris Dent really matured into a first-class cricketer. It can take time, but he was starting to look a genuine class act.

“Jack Taylor would be the first to admit that he has work to do on his game. But he also has the potential to be a top player and is the sort of feisty character you want in a dressing room.”

Dent and Taylor follow Ian Saxelby, David Payne, Ian Cockbain and Liam Norwell, whose contract extensions were revealed on Saturday.

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