Ollie Sale (right), who has been handed a contract extension by Somerset<br>credit: www.ppauk.com/photo/2016233/

SOMERSET County Cricket Club have announced that Ollie Sale has signed a new one-year contract extension that will see the 23-year-old remain at the club until at least the end of the 2020 season.

The fast bowler, who played his way through the Devon age groups, graduated from the Somerset Academy in 2014 and made his First XI debut in a T20 match against Hampshire in 2016.

Ollie has made some significant developments with the ball and with his leadership this summer after suffering a back injury over the winter. His performances with the ball and his captaincy during the 2nd XI games that he was called upon to lead this season have given Somerset a reminder of what he is capable of.

After signing his new contract Ollie said: “I absolutely love playing here and we’ve got a really exciting group of players at the moment. Everyone in the changing room is really close and it’s great to be a part of that for another year.

Ollie Sale (circled), in the Tavistock team that won the Bob Bridges U13 Cup in 2008The big thing for me is that I’ve got through this season without injury. I spent a lot of time around the Vitality Blast squad this year and my goal is to be ready to go for that first T20 next season. I’ll be working hard this winter and hopefully I can be pushing for a place by the time that first game comes around.

“I’ve really enjoyed the extra responsibility that the 2nd XI captaincy has brought. It’s been a good new challenge for me. There’s been a lot of learning, but it’s something that I’ve found very enjoyable.

“It’s an exciting time for the club. Players are getting called up for England, there’s a trophy in the bank already with a second one hopefully coming our way at the end of the year. Hopefully we can continue that success next season.”

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “Ollie has demonstrated some excellent progress this summer, with his focus being on developing his bowling craft and execution. We have also observed his leadership attributes evolve through graded opportunities within the 2nd XI environment, which adds another layer to the value we see him contributing to the Club for at least another year.

“He is highly driven to be the best that he can be, and we are looking forward to supporting his development and providing him with the opportunities that will move him closer to achieving his aspirations.”

Sale was a youth player at Tavistock who debuted for Devon U10s in 2006 and was picked in the U11 side the same season. In 2007 he topped the Devon U11 bowling averages (8.73) and continued to feature in the leading wicket takers throughout his age-group career.

When Tavistock U13s won the Bob Bridges Cup in 2008, Sale was a member of the team that defeated Hatherleigh at Exmouth in the final.

Sale started his Devon League career with Tavistock in 2012 and moved to Exeter the following season. He stayed five summers at the County Ground, never bettering the five-for-32 haul he took in 2014 against Sandford.

Sale has turned out for Taunton and Clevedon in the West of England Premier League and squeezed in games for Newcastle in the North East Premier League while studying at university in that part of the world.