Spearman signs four-year contract

Craig Spearman has committed his future to Gloucestershire © Getty Images

Craig Spearman, who played 19 Test and 51 one-day internationals for New Zealand, has signed a new four-year contract with Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire saw the best of Spearman in 2004, when he was not only the fourth highest run-scorer in the County Championship, but also played a crucial role in his side retaining the C&G Trophy, making consecutive scores of 50, 62, 143 not out and 70. His innings of 341 against Middlesex in June broke WG Grace's 128-year club record.

Spearman, 32, who will be available to play for England next year, insisted, "I really do think of this as home."

He last played for New Zealand in February 2001 and moved to England later that year to pursue a career in the City, but 9-11 caused him to rethink. With a Welsh mother, he was automatically England-qualified, and after a call to John Bracewell, the coach of Gloucestershire at the time (and allegedly the only New Zealander he knew in the country), he joined Gloucestershire at the start of 2002.