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Gloucestershire awards rookie contracts to Tommy Boorman, Ahmed Syed and Archie Bailey

2 November 2023

Gloucestershire Cricket is pleased to announce Academy graduates Tommy Boorman, Ahmed Syed and Archie Bailey have all signed rookie contracts with the Club.

Archie Bailey, a right-arm pace bowler, has signed a two-year rookie contract having put in a number of impressive performances in Shire’s u18s and Second XI fixtures last season. He has been selected for the South & West squads in the ECB Super 4s competition for the last two seasons, displaying impressive and genuine pace in the ECB biomechanical testing that takes place during the festival and identified him as one of the standout performers amongst his peers.

Upon the completion of his A Levels, Archie was selected to play in a number of Second XI matches in the 2023 season but unfortunately, the latter part of the season was blighted with injury limiting his opportunity to play. Having made a full recovery, Archie is now ready to throw himself into a full winter of training with the professional squad.

Archie Bailey said: “I’m honoured to have signed my first contract with Gloucestershire. I have been involved with the club from a very young age coming though the age groups, so receiving this was a very proud moment and a dream made into reality.

“I am hugely grateful for the opportunities I have been presented with; to be able to grow as a cricketer under the supervision of some top quality couches and an amazing group of lads with so much experience for me to feed off.”

Opening batter Tommy Boorman has signed a six month rookie contract starting in March 2024 having been recognised as a standout performer within his and the age groups above him for some time. In 2022 Tommy amassed more than 1000 runs including five 50s and three 100s to earn him a call up to the Young Lions Invitational XI’s tour of Sri Lanka.

The highlight of the 2023 season for 18-year-old Tommy came in his appearance for Gloucestershire vs New Zealand in which he scored a quickfire 21 from 13 balls in the T20 tourist match. Having completed his A-Levels, Tommy is now in Adelaide for the winter continuing his development with Sturt CC.

Speaking about his first contract with the Club, Tommy said: “I’m delighted to have signed with Gloucestershire, it is such an amazing club that has helped me progress since joining at eight-years-old. It has always been a goal of mine to represent the club at a professional level, so to be offered that chance is a real dream come true.

“With such a talented group of lads around me, and an amazing coaching team and support staff, I am excited to see how I can learn from their experience and improve my game to the highest level I can.”

Spin bowling all-rounder Ahmed Syed has also signed a six month rookie deal having impressed at u18s and Second XI level throughout the 2023 season. The 19-year-old bowled impressively for the U18s taking 26 wickets with a best bowling performance of 6 for 49 vs Wales.

Having earned selection for Gloucestershire’s Second XI, Ahmed took his chance to perform taking 22 wickets at an average of 26.18 including 5 for 80 in a championship game against Yorkshire.

He is due to head out to Lahore in Pakistan to continue his development as a spinner during the off-season and will join up with the Glos squad later in pre-season.

Ahmed Syed said: “It’s a dream come true to sign my first professional contract with Gloucestershire. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received over the last few years in the Academy and I really hope I can push on from here to develop my own game and learn from the experienced players in the dressing room.”

Mark Thorburn, Head of Talent Pathway at Gloucestershire Cricket, added: “I am delighted for all three players to have received rookie contracts for the 2024 season, this is fantastic recognition for the hard work and dedication they have put into developing themselves and their games and this opportunity provides them with the chance to continue their development within the professional squad.”

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