James Bracey, County Championship. (Pic source: David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
James Bracey has signed a new two-year deal with Gloucestershire that will keep him at the County Club till the end of the 2025 season. His current deal was coming to an end towards the end of the season, and that club did not waste any time to secure his signature for another two years. Notably, there was a lot of interest from other clubs to sign the wicket-keeper batter, but the 26-year-old eventually decided to continue at Gloucestershire.
He has played 150 matches for the club and is also the vice-captain of the side. Thus, Gloucestershire had no intention to let one of their locker room leaders leave at the end of the season. Meanwhile, after signing a new deal, Bracey mentioned that he is looking forward to developing his game in the coming years and rediscovering himself.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of this growing group of players in the years to come and rediscovering my own best form,” Bracey was quoted as saying by The Cricketer.
Notably, the cricketer represented England in two Test matches in 2021. However, he could not prove himself in the middle, as Bracey managed to score only eight runs. Thus, he was never considered for selection again, and that’s exactly what the cricketer wants to change. He is aiming to make his England return, but the road to which may not be easy as Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes remain as the first and second choice stumper-batter for the Three Lions.
Meanwhile, when it comes to Bracey’s form, he has not been great in recent times. The cricketer has struggled to get going with the bat, and that needs to change immediately in order to make his return to the national team, as the Ben Stokes-led side cannot afford a specialised keeper at the moment. Thus, in the next two years, the player will be hoping to get better and get into England’s scheme of things.