Worcestershire have completed their third new signing of the summer, with Northamptonshire all-rounder Tom Taylor moving to New Road on a four-year contract, effective from the 2024 season.
Taylor, who scored a brilliant century against Worcestershire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup last week, has committed to the Pears until the end of the 2027 campaign.
He has followed Lancashire batter Rob Jones, also a century-maker in the game at Wantage Road, and Warwickshire all-rounder Ethan Brookes in joining Worcestershire.
Head Coach Alan Richardson expresses his elation over the addition of Tom Taylor to the squad, a player who has consistently demonstrated his ability across various formats of the game.
With a seasoned track record, the 28-year-old Taylor boasts an impressive tally of 162 first-class wickets in 60 matches, averaging 31.81. Additionally, he has secured 30 List A wickets and 48 T20 wickets.
Taylor’s batting credentials are also substantial, having amassed 1550 runs in the first-class arena, along with 753 in List A cricket, which includes two centuries for Northamptonshire in this year’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Taylor commented on joining Worcestershire: “It is with immense excitement that I join Worcestershire, and I see the next four years as pivotal in my cricketing journey.
Taylor acknowledged Worcestershire’s commitment to nurturing both in-house talent and external prospects, highlighting players such as Jake Libby, Matthew Waite, Gareth Roderick, and Adam Hose, who have all been provided opportunities and support to develop.
“I firmly believe that Worcestershire is the perfect Club to support me in my aspirations. I look forward to working closely with Alan Richardson and the other coaching staff, who are renowned on the circuit for helping develop players.
He adds, “The club’s commendable performances across all formats this season motivate me to contribute significantly with both bat and ball and help the Club continue to progress”.
Richardson said: “Tom has been on my radar for quite a while. I remember when he played for Leicestershire a few years ago, and he certainly stood out as a very good bowler.
“I’ve followed him quite closely, and he is just someone I’ve watched continually grow as a cricketer. There is still a huge ceiling there, a lot of potential, but also Tom comes here with quite a lot of experience and a high skill set.
“Getting someone of Tom’s quality and experience is exciting for us. He gathers a lot of energy on the ball and gets it through nicely, and I would classify him as someone who hits the bat really hard.
“He is skilful with the ball, plays in all formats, can do all sorts of jobs. We’ve watched him at Northamptonshire, and he bowls in the powerplay, bowls at the death.
“Tom is very good in the field, a good mover with really good hands, and with the bat we see someone contributing in the middle order.
“We are getting someone who is really good three facet skills in all formats. We feel it is quite a coup to get Tom to come over and play for us.”
Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles added: “We’re absolutely delighted to sign a player of Tom’s all-round quality for the next four years.
“It says much about the Club and where we are aiming to go when someone is prepared to commit themselves for such an extended period.
“Supporters would have seen at first hand his brilliant knock against us in the recent One Day Cup game and also his effectiveness with the ball.
“We are delighted to have signed Tom, Rob Jones and Ethan Brookes already for next season and hope they will be key figures during the next phase in this Club’s great history.”
Taylor’s cricketing origins trace back to the Derbyshire Academy, followed by his inclusion in the England Performance Programme at the age of 20. His subsequent tenure at Leicestershire and his remarkable figures of 6-47 against Sussex at Hove underscore his ability.
In addition to his century against Worcestershire, Taylor’s impressive batting display includes a notable 112 against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in the 2023 Metro Bank One Day Cup.
