GLOUCESTERSHIRE batsman and wicketkeeper James Bracey has signed a contract with the club, keeping him at Gloucestershire until the end of the 2021 season.

The 21-year-old made his debut for the 1st XI against Sussex at the very end of the 2016 season but it was in 2017 that he really broke into the first team, featuring regularly towards the end of the Specsavers County Championship campaign in that year.

James was Gloucestershire’s second highest run scorer in the Specsavers County Championship in 2018 with 785 runs at an average of 32.70. He recorded two centuries during the red ball campaign, 120 not out in the loss at home to neighbours Glamorgan and an impressive 125 not out against Middlesex at Lord’s to lead Gloucestershire to safety on the final day.

James kept wicket for Gloucestershire for the final two matches of the season in the Specsavers County Championship and is continuing to hone both his keeping and batting as he winters with Rockingham-Mandurah Cricket Club in Western Australia.

Speaking on his contract, James said: “I’m delighted to be extending my contract with Gloucestershire, after a thoroughly enjoyable year I’m excited to see what we can achieve as a squad moving forward.”

Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown said: “Having James extend his contract to the end of the 2021 season is fantastic news for the Club. We see James playing a massive role for Gloucestershire and everything we have seen of him both on and off the pitch points to a very bright future ahead.”