Gloucestershire reward Howell

Gloucestershire have handed French-born batsman Benny Howell a two-year deal after the batsman's impressive start to the season.

Bordeaux-born batsman to stay in Bristol until end of 2014 season

Gloucestershire have handed Benny Howell a new two-year contract after the batsman's impressive start to the domestic season. The 23-year-old had effectively been on a season-long trial, which he has described as playing "on a match-by-match basis" since joining from Hampshire in the off-season. Howell earned his new deal with two half-centuries in the first five games of the season to add to some impressive limited-overs performances. And the Bordeaux-born right-hander is delighted to have secured his future with the West Country county until the end of the 2014 campaign. Howell said: "It's a good offer and I'm very pleased to have earned it after being given this opportunity by Gloucestershire. "I believe the club is going places and it is exciting to be among a group of such talented young players."