James Taylor agrees new deal with Leicestershire CCC

Leicestershire have received another major boost with news that batsman James Taylor has signed a new three-year contract at Grace Road.

The announcement follows hard on the heels of the arrival of former England and Yorkshire paceman Matthew Hoggard as captain, another three-year deal which was concluded just a week ago.

Taylor, 19, had two years remaining on his existing contract, but has now committed to the Foxes until at least 2012.

Leicestershire moved swiftly to extend the deal after Taylor cracked more than 1,100 runs in first-class cricket last season.

It was his first full campaign at the top level, culminating in the award of his county cap.

"The new contract reflects the season that James has had," said County chief executive David Smith. "It was outstanding and led to a number of accolades. James has now flown to South Africa with the England development squad and we are absolutely delighted that he signed before he went."

Taylor's decision also sends out the message that the County are determined to hold on to their young talented players and give senior coach Tim Boon the best possible chance to mould a winning team over the next few years.

"Bit by bit, the jigsaw puzzle is coming together," said Smith. "Matthew Hoggard was a major signing. But the fact that James is prepared to commit himself to the club for another three years makes this a major signing, too.

"Retaining the players that we have got is as important as bringing in new players.

"We wanted to get a core group together for the next three years. Tim now has a squad to work with and knows exactly where he stands."

Apart from the volume of runs he scored last season, Taylor's attitude on and off the pitch was excellent.

"He is a very balanced young man," Smith said.

"He was particularly keen to work with Tim, too. He has committed for another three seasons and you don't do that unless you are happy at a club.

"I think people will see now that we are trying to move forward."

Taylor's performances in 2009 earned him prestigious awards at the end of the season from the Cricket Writers' Club and the Professional Cricketers' Association.

He was also selected to take part in the England development programme during the winter and has just completed the first phase of that at Loughborough, with the second stage just starting in South Africa.