Smith in Gloucestershire loan switch

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Middlesex have allowed off-spinner Tom Smith to join Gloucestershire on loan.

The 25-year-old will be at Bristol until the end of the Friends Life t20 group stage on July 31 and will also be eligible for all of Gloucestershire’s first-class games in that period.

He could make his debut in a three-day match against Australia A, starting on Friday.

Smith, who has featured in just two County Championship matches this season, is behind Ollie Rayner in the pecking order but will hope to see more first-team action during his loan spell.

He was a regular in Middlesex’s last three t20 campaigns, taking 38 wickets in 39 matches, but has been told his chances of playing in this year’s competition will be remote, with overseas signing Adam Voges also capable of bowling part-time spin.

Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “At this stage of his career, Tom needs to be playing first-team cricket and this will help his development.

“He was unlikely to feature in Middlesex’s County Championship fixtures against Warwickshire and Sussex too.”