Wednesday 30 September 2015 14:11, UK
Gloucestershire have awarded Will Tavare, the nephew of former England batsman Chris, with a one-year contract following an impressive season in the county's Second XI.
The 23-year-old peaked in July with an unbeaten 179 and against Sussex at Frocester before scoring a second century in as many weeks (101 not out).
Tavare is expected to start training with the first team at Gloucestershire in March when he returns from a winter of playing cricket in Melbourne.
He has made five first class appearances to date in his career, averaging 32 whilst representing Loughborough and MCC University teams.
"Will has been our leading run-scorer in Second XI cricket and is a player we have helped develop at the same time as he has been helping himself," Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said.
He is a top order batsman, who deserves the opportunity to move up and provide extra competition for our batting places.
"He is a top order batsman, who deserves the opportunity to move up and provide extra competition for our batting places.
"We need three openers in our squad and Will's signing to join Michael Klinger and Chris Dent in the squad means that is the case."
Bristol-born Tavare's outstanding form for the Second XI this summer saw him amass almost 1,000 runs, including three Championship centuries.
"I come from a cricketing family and it has always been my ambition to play cricket professionally so I am very excited at the opportunity Gloucestershire are giving me," he said.
"A few things clicked for me this summer and it was my best season with the bat. I went to Melbourne to play for a club there last winter, which helped my development, and I am delighted to be going back there before teaming up with Gloucestershire in March."
