SOMERSET County Cricket Club supporters can look forward to four more years of Jack Leach in Taunton, after the spin bowler became the latest player to sign a contract extension.

Leach, who helped England secure a 2-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka this week, joins Josh Davey and James Hildreth in committing themselves to the club.

The 29-year-old spinner's current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2022 season, but this contract extension takes him through until at least the end of the 2024 campaign.

Leach made his debut for his hometown club in 2012, and has gone on to take more than 240 wickets for Somerset.

His consistency has earned him international recognition, and 2019 brought cult hero status for the spinner, with his defiant 1* against Australia in the Ashes Test at Headingley followed by a score of 92 against Ireland at Lord's.

Last year was an extremely difficult one for Leach, however, as illness in New Zealand and South Africa led to him flying home from England duty, and he spent the summer as back-up to his former Somerset team-mate Dom Bess, meaning he was only able to play two Bob Willis Trophy matches.

Leach was back in the England team for the Sri Lanka series, though, and his wicket hauls have taken him past 300 First-Class wickets in his career.

He commented: "I am very excited to have signed an extension with Somerset. It is a proud day for me and my family.

“I would like to thank Andy Hurry, Jason Kerr, all the coaches, the staff and my team-mates for their support.

I would also like to thank the Somerset members and fans.

"I would like to send my best to them at this difficult time and say how much we miss you.

“I am very excited about what we can achieve as a group.

"There is a good feeling around the boys, and I can't wait for the season to start!”

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: “To put it in simple terms, Jack Leach is an outstanding cricketer.

"Not only is he a bowler of the very highest calibre, he is also exactly the kind of character you want in your team environment.

“His drive and determination to succeed are second to none and his will to win is unquestionable.

"We all saw that in his performance with the bat at Headingley in the last Ashes series.

"What people don’t see is the amount of hard work that he puts in behind the scenes.

"His training ethic is exemplary, and he is always willing to go that extra mile to help the younger players within the squad.

“Jack has had to overcome a number of hurdles during the last few years and on every occasion he has come back stronger and better.

"He sets a great example, and I am delighted that we will continue to see him representing the club that means so much to him.”