SOMERSET County Cricket Club have announced that this year's T20 captain, all-rounder Lewis Gregory, has signed a new three-year contract.

This follows months of speculation over the 26-year-old's future, as he would have been out of contract at the end of this year.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry had previously confirmed that four other clubs had contacted Gregory after putting in 28 days' notice of approach.

But Gregory, who hails from Plympton in Devon, has decided to stay with Somerset, who first awarded him a contract after he came through the county's academy in 2010.

He made his County Championship debut against Worcestershire in Taunton in May 2011, and has gone on to score 1,669 runs and take 189 wickets in 66 First Class matches.

He hit a maiden Championship century against Middlesex at Lord's last season, and was named as T20 Blast skipper for 2018.

After signing his contract, which runs through to 2021, Gregory said: “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with Somerset and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for us.

"I needed to take the time to explore other options for personal reasons, but I feel that staying here is what is best for me and my cricket.

"I feel privileged to be a part of this great club and being made captain this season is a huge honour.

“There is a real sense of optimism around the changing room, lots of positive change going on and I am exceptionally proud to be a part of it all.”

Andy Hurry added: “We are extremely pleased that Lewis has committed his future to the club.

"It’s a great reflection of where the club is currently, that a player of Lewis’s calibre, maturity and professionalism sees his future here.

“Everyone at the cub is looking forward to him playing a key role in what we want to achieve in the next three years and beyond.”

This news comes as a timely boost for Somerset ahead of their T20 matches at Middlesex and Glamorgan today and tomorrow.