Somerset secure Ned Leonard to new one-year deal

The 19-year-old made his senior debut last season and is now contracted at the Taunton club until the end of 2023

Ned Leonard has signed a new one-year contract extension with Somerset as he looks to build on his breakthrough season.

The 19-year-old made his senior in the One-Day Cup in 2021 and ended up featuring four times in the 50-over competition.

Leonard went on to make his first-class debut in the County Championship against Lancashire and made George Balderson his first victim.

Now part of the first team, the right-arm quick wants to become a central figure under head coach Jason Kerr.

He joined the Somerset academy in 2017 and his cricketing education came courtesy of Bridgwater CC and Millfield School.

Last summer also saw him play twice for Devon in the National Counties Trophy while he was a regular for Somerset's second XI before his first-team breakthrough.

^{Leonard made his breakthrough in the One-Day Cup (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

"I’m really happy," he said. "I absolutely love being here because it’s a great club to be involved with. 

"I want to build on what I achieved last year by playing as much cricket as I can and taking as many wickets as possible. Hopefully, that will be with the first team.

"It’s a dream come true to play first XI cricket for Somerset because this is my home now and it means so much to me."

Director of cricket Andy Hurry added: “Ned possesses pace, the ability to generate movement both in the air and off the pitch and he has the potential to be a threat across all formats with both the new ball and the old ball.

"He is a great example of the productive and successful relationships that we have with the region’s schools, clubs and National County partners, and we all look forward to seeing what the next two seasons have in store for him."