Former Oxfordshire all-rounder Jack Taylor hit a brilliant maiden first-class century for Gloucestershire against Derbyshire in the LV= County Championship yesterday.

The 23-year-old, who played club cricket for Great & Little Tew, lit up the gloom in the Division 2 clash at Derby by making 120 from 139 balls.

His superb knock, which included 12 fours and two sixes, took the visitors to 329, with Derbyshire closing day two on 77-2 as rain prevented any play after tea.

Taylor received congratulations from the cricketing fraternity.

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And he tweeted: “Thanks for all the messages, first of many I hope! Few early poles tomorrow and we’re right in the mix!”

His father, Kevin, whose other son, Matt, is also on the Gloucestershire staff, was at the County Ground to see Jack reach the milestone.

He said: “It was Jack’s day. It was amazing. We saw Matt get his maiden five wickets against Hampshire last year, and to see Jack get his hundred is a parent’s dream as well.”

Batting No 8, Taylor came to the crease with Gloucestershire 159-6 on Sunday.

Counter-attacking impressively, he finished day one unbeaten on 58, sharing an unbroken stand of 92 with Michael Klinger as Gloucestershire closed on 251-6.

Klinger went without addition to the score yesterday, but Taylor raced past his previous highest score of 63 made against Glamorgan at Swansea three years ago.

He was eventually out when he sliced a drive off Tom Taylor to third man.

Gloucestershire captain Geraint Jones said: “Jack batted in a mature way with controlled aggression.”

Taylor’s achievement was extra special as he has had to re-establish himself after being banned by the England and Wales Cricket Board for an illegal bowling action two years ago.

He had to undergo remedial work, and was only passed to play again in February 2014.