Tom Smith: Gloucestershire sign Middlesex spinner on loan

Gloucestershire have signed spinner Tom Smith on loan from Middlesex.

Smith, 25, could make his debut in the tour match against Australia A, which starts on Friday, and will also be available for the Twenty20 campaign.

He comes in as cover for Ed Young, who has a wrist injury, and Jack Taylor, who is banned from bowling while the England and Wales Cricket Board investigate his action.

Smith has played 42 T20 games, taking 38 wickets at an average of 25.52.

He has played in both the County Championship and YB40 for Middlesex this season.

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: "At a point where we have lost two of our spinners who, over the last two years, have been consistent and reliable T20 players for us, it is great to be able to call on the resources and opportunity that Middlesex have offered to use Tom Smith in our T20 campaign this season.

"He is a useful performer at this level of this game and a career-best 5-24 in the competition shows that he will be a more than handy acquisition to our squad."