Tom Bailey commits to Lancashire until 2023

The seam bowler has taken 256 first-class wickets at 23.64 in 72 appearances for Lancashire, topping the wicket-taking charts in three of the past four seasons

Tom Bailey has committed his future to Lancashire after signing a new contract which will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2023.

The 30-year-old seamer has taken 256 first-class wickets at 23.64 in 72 appearances for Lancashire since making his debut in September 2012, topping the wicket-taking charts in three of the past four seasons – in 2019, he finished third with 37 wickets despite only playing nine matches due to injury.

As the club's go-to new ball bowler, he is not only a prolific wicket-taker but also deadly accurate with his line and miserly to boot, boasting a first-class career economy of 2.85.

Last season, Bailey was Lancashire's standout bowler, picking up 51 wickets at 18.72 across the LV= Insurance County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy, as well as scoring 330 runs (two half-centuries) with the bat.

^{Bailey representing Lancashire in last season's T20 Blast [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

With the white ball, Bailey has picked up 28 wickets in 21 List A appearances and a further 25 wickets in 24 T20 outings.

Bailey is the latest member of Lancashire's seam arsenal to extend his time at the club following new contracts for Luke Wood, Danny Lamb, Jack Blatherwick, and George Balderson while at least eight other squad members – including Josh Bohannon, Matt Parkinson and Liam Livingstone – have also put pen to paper on new deals, all of which stands Glen Chapple's side in good stead to be serious title contenders for the next few years.

Commenting on his contract extension, Bailey said: "I am delighted to sign on for at least another two seasons with my home county.

"I love representing the Red Rose and I am really excited about what the future can hold for us as a team, as we push for the silverware which we all crave.

"We have an outstanding bowling unit at the club and, as one of the more senior players in the dressing room now, I will be looking to continue to set an example and lead from the front with the new ball."