Joe Weatherley extends Hampshire contract

The 23-year-old averaged 26.23 in first-class cricket last season and has committed his immediate future to the club

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Hampshire has confirmed that batsman Joe Weatherley has signed a contract extension at The Ageas Bowl.

The club have not announced the length of the deal agreed by the academy product, who missed the second half of last term with a broken ankle.

Weatherley has made 32 first-class appearances, as well as 20 List A and 11 T20 outings during his career.

He had a short loan spell at Kent in 2017 but since his return has played a major first-team role.

In the absence of James Vince, the Winchester-born right-hander made his only white-ball appearance of the season in the One-Day Cup final win over Somerset at Lord's last May

Meanwhile, across nine first-class outings - eight of which came for Hants in the County Championship - he scored 341 runs at 26.23, with two half-centuries.

"I absolutely love playing for Hampshire and being an academy product means a lot to me," said Weatherley. 

"I’m looking forward to an exciting 2020 and beyond with the club as we push for silverware.

Director of cricket Giles White added: "Joe is a good young player with a genuine appetite for scoring runs, so it’s great news for the club and obviously exciting for him too.

"Joe has come through our player pathway system and he’s demonstrated his ability at this level over the last couple of years. He’ll be keen to push on and cement his spot in the side this season."