Gloucestershire have confirmed the arrival of three loan players to reinforce their seam bowling department for the remainder of the County Championship season amid a series of injuries.
James Hayes returns from Nottinghamshire, where he featured in this season’s Vitality Blast, and joins Somerset left-arm pacer JT Langridge alongside Essex fast bowler Mitch Killeen. All three are set to make their Gloucestershire debuts in Thursday’s Division Two match against leaders Durham at the Riverside.
Hayes previously contributed to Gloucestershire’s progress to the Vitality Blast quarter-finals, taking three wickets across matches against Worcestershire and Surrey. Subsequently, he enjoyed an extended stint with Nottinghamshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, claiming 12 wickets during their journey to the competition semi-finals. Hayes also has three first-class appearances, including his debut while on loan at Sussex, where he dismissed New Zealand international Henry Nicholls.
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Devon-born JT Langridge has represented Somerset 11 times in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, securing 13 wickets with best figures of 3-63. Gloucestershire’s director of cricket, Jon Lewis, praised Langridge’s performances in the Second Eleven Championship, highlighting him as a promising left-arm fast bowler with good pace and potential to make an impact.
Langridge’s impressive summer includes 12 wickets in four matches, placing him third among the competition’s leading wicket-takers. Notably, he recorded career-best figures of 5-69 against Kent. At just 20 years old, the Plymouth native is regarded as one of the most promising young bowlers in county cricket and has represented England Under-19s on tours to India and against Ireland.
Mitch Killeen, a 21-year-old Essex fast bowler who began his career at Durham, has played three first-class matches and taken 11 wickets. He made his Championship debut for Durham in 2025 with a five-wicket innings haul against Somerset. Also part of the Metro Bank One Day Cup this season, Killeen has been among the most economical bowlers, boasting an economy rate of 4.66.
In other news, Gloucestershire batter Ben Charlesworth will not feature again this season following further assessment of a hip injury sustained earlier this summer. The 23-year-old will miss the remaining Championship fixtures as he focuses on rehabilitation ahead of a move to Lancashire for the 2027 season.
Charlesworth became a regular first-team member after progressing through Gloucestershire’s pathway, contributing with both bat and ball across all three formats. He played a key role in several important victories for the club, including the 2024 Vitality Blast triumph.
These loan signings demonstrate Gloucestershire’s proactive approach to managing their squad through injury challenges as they aim to finish strongly this County Championship campaign.