Weatherley agrees new 2025 contract for Hampshire
By Connor Steel
HAMPSHIRE CRICKET have announced that batsman Joe Weatherley has signed a fresh one-year contract extension which will see him play at the Utilita Bowl until at least the conclusion of 2025; the selectors acting quickly to secure the twenty-seven year old’s services for next year as they look to ascertain themselves as a ‘top side’ across three formats.
The batter was born in Winchester and made his Hampshire debut during a great 2016 campaign after graduating from their youth systems; although wasn’t a regular star in the team for another two years. He totalled a score of 772 runs in the 2018 summer featuring a century within the County Championship and the victorious Royal London Cup campaign.
Weatherley stayed throughout the Covid-19 affected seasons of 2020 and 2021 before this cricket calendar returned to normal in 2022; which proved to be a highly successful summer for action. He shone as a stable middle-order batsman contributing 347 runs as part of a Hampshire Hawks Vitality Blast team that were crowned champions for the third time.
He further continued this form into their 2023 campaign with a total of 379 runs scored as the Hawks moved into a third straight Finals Day; where they lost in the semi-finals. And this year the batter was also the club’s leading scorer for the Twenty-20 format with 324 runs at an average of thirty-six; including a huge score of 68 not out against Sussex Sharks.
Weatherley was also the leading middle-order batsman from 2021-2023 as he scored the combined total of 1,104 runs; besting Warwickshire’s Sam Hain (1,027) and Middlesex’s Leus Du Plooy (1,024). He has also featured three times for Hampshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup including 92 against Derbyshire, as well as playing for the Southern Brave.
He said: “It feels awesome to have signed a contract extension; Hampshire feels very much like home. “I first pulled on a Hampshire shirt when I was nine and I’m really looking forward to next season.” Giles White added: It’s good that Joe has extended his stay. He is a valued member of this squad and has been a consistent performer for the middle order.”
Readers may read about the other contract signatures including Chris Wood and Ben Brown on the Hampshire Cricket website; which also features information about the three remaining fixtures and tickets available for the rest of the year.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (2R6HGYB): Weatherley batting for Hampshire in the Vitality Blast match at Kent in June 2023.
