By persuading fast bowler Tom Taylor to leave Northamptonshire, Worcestershire have made their third signing for 2024.

A four-year contract has been signed by the former Derbyshire and Leicestershire player.

Taylor joins Lancashire’s Rob Jones and Warwickshire’s Ethan Brookes in signing for the club.

The fact that someone is willing to commit for such a long period says a lot about us,” said Ashley Giles, CEO of the company.

Our fans will have seen Tom’s brilliant knock against us in the recent One-Day Cup game as well as his effectiveness with the ball. We are delighted to sign him for the next four years.

“We hope Tom, Rob Jones, and Ethan Brookes will be key figures in this club’s future.”

Ray Payne, Northants’ chief executive, said it was “disappointing” that Taylor turned down a contract offer to remain at Wantage Road.

Taylor’s journey

Taylor sees the next four years as pivotal in his cricketing career. The club’s commendable performances across all formats this season motivate me to contribute significantly with both the bat and the ball.”

At the age of 20, he was part of the England performance programme, before suffering a stress fracture in his lower back in 2016.

After joining Leicestershire in 2018, he moved on again to Northamptonshire at the end of 2020.

With 162 first-class wickets in 60 matches and an average of 31.81, as well as 30 List A wickets and 48 T20 wickets, he has also made 1,550 first-class runs and 753 List A runs.

Alan Richardson, Pears coach, added: “Tom has been on my radar for quite some time. I remember him playing for Leicestershire a few years ago.

I’ve watched him grow as a cricketer quite closely, and I know he has a lot of potential. We feel it is quite a coup to be able to sign Tom.”