Wicketkeeper Smith signs new two-year Bears deal

Kai Smith was born in Dubai and played for the United Arab Emirates at the under-19s World Cup

Warwickshire wicketkeeper Kai Smith has signed a new contract with the club until the end of the 2027 season.

The 20-year-old academy graduate made his first-team debut as a batter in the One-Day Cup as a 17-year-old in 2022, and signed a two-year rookie deal ahead of last season.

He struck his maiden century - 130 off 104 balls - against Worcestershire to win a One-Day Cup quarter-final in August 2024 and currently averages 35 in List A matches.

Following the retirement of Michael Burgess at the end of last summer, Smith took over the wicketkeeping duties and is currently in his debut season of first-class cricket.

In eight County Championship matches this season, Smith has scored 251 runs, including two half-centuries, and taken 22 catches with one stumping.