George Thomas signs professional terms with Somerset

Thomas made his debut for Somerset in the 2021 Royal London Cup, scoring in 82 runs in two appearances

George Thomas has signed a two-year contract with Somerset, which will commence on November 1.

The 18-year-old made his debut for Somerset in the 2021 Royal London Cup, scoring 75 (77) against Leicestershire, and finished the season with 82 runs in two appearances.  

Thomas, an allrounder, is also a regular started for England Under-19s, scoring 559 runs, including four half-centuries, in 16 youth ODIs and featuring at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup.

This season, he made four 2nd XI Championship appearances for Somerset, scoring 196 runs (two fifties) and taking three wickets, and a further four in the 2nd XI T20 competition (76 runs and six wickets).

^{Thomas (right) on his debut against Leicestershire last season [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Commenting on signing professional terms, Thomas, who has been part of the club's emerging player programme for the past three years, said: "I'm really happy. This is what I've wanted since I found out what cricket was. I've been on the pathway for over 10 years, and it feels great.

"I got a message from Andy Hurry saying that he wanted to have a meeting, and I just assumed that it was a check-up. As soon as he made the offer my face lit up and I signed it there and then.

"In the next two years I want to break my way into the first XI and make as many appearances as I can in all formats of the game and hopefully start to make a name for myself."

Head of talent pathway, Matt Drakeley, added: "Signing your first professional contract is always a proud moment, and there aren't many who deserve that moment more than George. He works tirelessly to improve his game, is a fantastic role model to other pathway players and plays the game with enthusiasm and with a smile on his face.

"George was unfortunate to suffer an injury upon his return from the Under-19 World Cup but has shown a real determination to come back and play some exciting innings in second XI cricket before unfortunately missing out on the Royal London through injury.

"There are many people involved in the Somerset player pathway, as well as those at Kings College and Taunton St Andrews, who will no doubt be delighted that he has got this deserved recognition."