CALLUM Taylor's has the drive and adaptability to be a Glamorgan hit if he gets another chance at Sophia Gardens after the coronavirus pandemic, believes his Newport coach.

The 21-year-old was rewarded for making an impression at Spytty Park with a one-year deal with the Welsh county in 2019 and a season-long contract extension last autumn.

Taylor, the son of former Pontypool RFC captain Matthew, made his Glamorgan debut in the rained-off game against Essex at Sophia Gardens and went on to play four fixtures in the Vitality Blast.

He scored 649 runs across all formats for the seconds, including an unbeaten 103 against Kent at Spytty Park, and was nominated second XI player of the year and young player of the year at Glamorgan's end of season awards.

South Wales Argus:

Newport have long recognised the middle-order batsman and off-spinner's promise since he headed to the city, where he was born, from Australia in 2016.

He won the club's young player of the year when helping them win the Premier League in his first season, then was named player of the year in 2017 and 2018.

Taylor has grown year on year, a theme that Newport coach Mike Knight hopes will continue this summer.

"Callum has been with us for four seasons and he has always met the targets that we have set him comfortably," said the club stalwart.

"His progress has been fantastic and once he gets a taste of a higher level he wants more. Callum adapts to the level he steps up to and improves – he did that with us, Wales Minor Counties and Glamorgan seconds.

"Hopefully the same thing will happen with Glamorgan and he can grab the chances that come his way, because Callum is incredibly dedicated and determined.

"His mental strength is fantastic and he is a very tough player, as tough as anyone that I have worked with."

South Wales Argus:

Taylor and his Glamorgan teammates were furloughed in April and there will be no domestic cricket until July at the earliest.

The England and Wales Cricket Board's priority is hosting some international fixtures, which are vital for the finances, and if the county game returns then precedence will be given to T20.

That would give Taylor and the rest of the squad a brief opportunity to press their claims for fresh deals at a time when purse strings are being tightened.

"We do have players out of contract, it is very difficult for those guys at the moment," Glamorgan director of cricket Mark Wallace, a Newport teammate of Taylor's, said to BBC Sport Wales.

"We hope they get the opportunity to push on their performances this summer, and we're trying to support those guys as much as possible."

Taylor had been allocated to Newport for the South Wales Premier League season along with Australian seamer Michael Hogan.