Somerset's Smeed signs all-formats deal for 2025

Will Smeed, who has made 105 T20 appearances, became the first batter to score a century in The Hundred in 2022.

Somerset batter Will Smeed has amended his contract with the club to enable him to play all formats of the game in 2025.

The 23-year-old has been on a white-ball only contract since the 2023 season and agreed new terms last summer until the end of 2026.

However, the updated deal will see Smeed available to play championship cricket for the first time this campaign.

In three matches for the second team at the end last season, Smeed averaged 49.50 and he is very keen to play more red-ball games.

"I'm desperate to play more cricket than I did last summer," Smeed told the club website.

"I picked up an injury and it felt like I hadn't really played any cricket. I played a few second XI red-ball games towards the end of last year and really enjoyed it. That's when I started to think that this would be a good option.

"Watching how the team went about things in the Championship last year was great and some of the wins were absolutely insane. It would be crazy to not want to be a part of that team."

Smeed has been with Somerset since under-10 age grade and made his debut in 2020, signing professional terms a year later.

He has gone on to make 64 T20 appearances for the club, scoring 1,669 runs including 12 half-centuries and was part of the 2023 Blast-winning side.

In 2022, Smeed became the first batter to hit a century in The Hundred, playing for Birmingham Phoenix.

He has featured in the Pakistan Super League, SA20, Caribbean Premier League and International League T20 but is yet to play in first-class cricket and has only one 50-over game to his name, for England Lions.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said Smeed's return will "add depth" to their batting in the four-day game.

"We all know Will has a huge amount of potential, and his return to multi-day cricket will certainly add depth to our County Championship batting options," Hurry said.

"When he initially signed a white-ball contract, he always made it clear that the door was not closed to the red-ball game, and I know our members and supporters will be excited by the prospect of him now being available to be considered for selection in all formats for the club."

Somerset start their County Championship season at home to Worcestershire on Friday, 4 April.