SOMERSET County Cricket Club has secured the services of another experienced operator for the next couple of seasons, with Steve Davies becoming the latest player to sign a contract extension.

The 34-year-old wicketkeeper batsman has agreed terms that will keep him in Taunton until at least the end of the 2022 season, and in doing so he joins fellow 1st XI favourites Josh Davey, James Hildreth and Jack Leach - as well as up-and-coming youngsters Lewis Goldsworthy and Tom Lammonby - in extending his contract.

Davies joined Somerset ahead of the 2017 campaign, switching from Surrey, and since then he has scored more than 3,300 runs and been involved in almost 200 dismissals for the club.

The left-hander, who has also played 13 times for England in limited-overs cricket, scored 320 runs in six Bob Willis Trophy matches last season, at an average of 40 and with a high score of 123*.

Davies commented: “My time at Somerset so far has been extremely special and I’m really pleased to have extended my stay.

"The last few years have shown that we could really be on the threshold of something very special and I can’t wait to play a part in that.

“We have a great squad of players and everyone is pushing to get better every day.

"The atmosphere in the camp is outstanding and hopefully we can push on to even bigger things in the next few years.”

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: “Steve Davies is exactly the sort of player that every club wants in their dressing room.

"He is hugely experienced, his glovework is outstanding and the value he adds with the bat in a number of positions within the top order is priceless.

“He has played a very big role in our relative success over the last few years and we are delighted that he has extended his stay.”