Newport's Taylor lands pro deal at Glamorgan

The 20-year-old has penned a one-year deal with the Welsh county after featuring regularly for the seconds last year.

Taylor, a middle-order batsman and off-spinner, hit three half-centuries and was rewarded with a call-up to Glamorgan's T20 Blast squad.

Last summer he helped Newport repeat their 2016 South Wales Premier League and he was named as club player of the year for the second season on the bounce, adding to his young player of the year honour from the previous campaign.

Glamorgan director of cricket Mark Wallace, who has played alongside Taylor at Spytty Park, says the prospect has earned his chance.

"Callum has been one of the more outstanding players in the South Wales Premier League over the last few years, he's excelled in the Minor Counties, and taken his chance in the second XI," said the former Glamorgan captain and wicket-keeper.

"Hopefully the route he has taken to a full contract through performing in the league and climbing the ladder will inspire others to set about following a similar route."

Glamorgan have also given one-year deals to academy graduate Kazi Szymanski, a 19-year-old right-arm seamer from Torquay, and 24-year-old Jamie McIlroy, a left-arm seamer who has impressed for Herefordshire in Minor Counties cricket.

"They've all got the qualities required to play first team cricket and that's why we've brought them on board," said Wallace.

"Jamie is a little older and has come on the radar over the last few years in second XI cricket," said Wallace.

"He's on a dual contract with Glamorgan and the MCC Young Cricketers, so he'll get cricket with our second XI and then around the country with them. Having that link with Lord's is something that we used to have and we are trying to develop again.

"Kazi has shown himself to have the potential to change a game, he took 8-21 against Sussex last year, and his performances for Torquay, Wales and the second XI means he has earned a chance to keep progressing."