EXPERIENCED wicketkeeper-batsman Steve Davies has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal which will keep him at Somerset until at least 2021.

Davies, who signed for the county from Surrey in the winter of 2016, scored 642 runs at 27.09 in the 2019 County Championship season including a vital 109 in the victory over Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

His deal was due to run out at the end of this season but he has now committed his future to Somerset.

Davies said: “I’m really pleased that I’ll be staying here for another two years.

"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Somerset and I feel that it’s a really exciting time to be involved with the Club.

“You get the sense that we are on the verge of really big things here and I can’t wait to play a part in that.

"There’s a real buzz around the dressing room and hopefully we can go on to build on the success of this season.”

Director of cricket Andy Hurry said: “We are delighted that Steve has extended his time with Somerset.

"He is an outstanding ‘keeper and his glovework and experience have certainly been one of the contributing factors to our success over the last three years.

“In addition to the value he gives us with the bat, he is a consummate professional with an excellent understanding of the game.

"Our younger players will certainly benefit from his experience over the next two years.”

Davies, who has played eight ODIs and five IT20s for England, played no white-ball cricket for Somerset in 2019 due to the emergence of Tom Banton but may well be called upon for at least the 50-over competition next season, which clashes with 'The Hundred' - a competition Banton seems likely to feature in.

News is awaited on the future of Eddie Byrom, whose contract is also due to expire at the end of the month and has been linked with a move away from Taunton.