Glamorgan’s young bowler Ruaidhri Smith has put pen to paper in a deal that keeps him at the club until the end of the 2019 season.
Smith, who is currently completing his University studies at Bristol, progressed through the Glamorgan development programme, and was also educated at Llandaff Cathedral and Shrewsbury Schools – while playing junior cricket for St Fagans and representing Wales age grade teams.
Smith, who has played 14 first-class matches, said he was excited at the prospect of at least three more seasons with the Welsh County.
He said: “I’ve grown up supporting Glamorgan and to sign a new long-term contract at the club is really pleasing for me.
“There’s a few of us coming up through the age groups, such as Andrew Salter and David Lloyd and hopefully we can break into the first team.
“To have that pride in the daff and to play for Glamorgan is something I’ve always aspired to when I was growing up. And there’s a really good vibe in the camp at the moment.”
Like Salter two weeks before him, Smith made an auspicious County Championship debut against Kent in September 2013 by taking the wicket of Brendan Nash with his first ball. Smith, who previously played for Scotland, became part of the Glamorgan squad in List A cricket before breaking into the Championship first-team during 2014 and 2015.
Smith's last first-class appearance came in the draw against Derbyshire in July last year, when he took 3/23 in the first innings.
Glamorgan Chief Executive and Director of Cricket Hugh Morris said it was good to see young cricketers like Smith – and Salter who signed a three-year extension on Monday – committing themselves to the club on a long term basis.
He said: “Ruaidhri is a very talented young bowler who has shown real potential since coming into the first team squad.
“It’s fantastic news that he’s signed a contract until 2019 and following the end of his degree this year, we look forward to seeing him in action for Glamorgan in the coming years.”