Weatherley signs new Hampshire deal

The 20-year-old has penned a new deal that will keep him at the Ageas Bowl until at least the end of the 2019 season.

As part of the extension, Weatherley will also join Kent on a season-long deal, which will allow him the opportunity to develop his game with Sam Northeast’s outfit.

Weatherley said: ‘I’m ecstatic!

‘Hampshire is where I want to be playing my cricket – it’s a really exciting club to be around and I’m chuffed to be a part of that for the coming years.

‘An opportunity came up at Kent which will allow me to get some good cricket under my belt and there’s potentially more playing opportunities there this season.

‘Long-term, my future is with Hampshire, but given the strength of the side on paper this year, this works really well to help with developing my game.’

Weatherley is a product of Hampshire’s youth set-up, having represented the county from an early age.

The right-hander has also featured prominently for England at age-group level, having captained England under-19s back in 2015.

The top-order batsman has made a total of nine appearances for the club so far in his career, with a knock of 83 against Cardiff MCCU his highest first-class total to date.

Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, said: ‘Joe is an exciting prospect and this extension confirms that he is a big part of future plans at the club.

‘He has had success at each level he has played and this loan spell at Kent gives him another challenge and opportunity to develop his game.’

The Winchester-born Weatherley has been in excellent form this off-season, notching 429 runs at an average of 85.80 with the bat for Australian grade side, Woodville, including a superb double-century against Prospect in January.