David Payne: Gloucestershire seamer signs new three-year deal

Bowler David Payne made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire against Derbyshire in April 2011

Gloucestershire seamer David Payne has signed a new three-year contract with the club until the end of 2017.

The 23-year-old has made 38 first-class appearances for Gloucestershire, taking 90 wickets.

Payne told BBC Radio Bristol: "It is a weight off of my shoulders to be honest. It is something that has been going on for a few months.

"I am just happy that it is all done now and I can just solely focus on my cricket for the rest of the season."

Payne's bowling figures of 7-29 against Essex in 2011 are the best figures recorded by a Gloucestershire bowler in a one-day match.

The former England Under-19 player also has a first-class batting average of 14.26.

Earlier this month, Gloucestershire all-rounder Will Gidman agreed a move to Nottinghamshire in 2015.

"I think we always knew that it was going to be a struggle to keep Will Gidman, so it was highlighted early on that I was an important part of keeping the team together now," Payne added.

"I'm going to be stepping up into a more senior role now, with Will moving on and with the players coming through being younger than me."