Premier Cricket 2018-19: Ringwood signs former England under-19s captain Joe Weatherley

RINGWOOD has made a key signing ahead of the Premier Cricket season, securing the signature of former England under-19s captain Joe Weatherley.

Joe Weatherley punches one through the leg-side for Woodville. Picture: Stephen Laffer

RINGWOOD hopes the addition of promising English opening batsman Joe Weatherley will add stability to its top order this summer.

Weatherley plays in England’s domestic competition at Hampshire alongside Ringwood captain Ian Holland and is due to arrive in Australia in November.

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The 21-year-old is one of England’s brightest young prospects, making his maiden first-class hundred in June when he compiled an unbeaten 126 off 211 deliveries.

Weatherley, who averages 23 across his 21 first-class games, also captained England’s under-19s team against Australia in 2015.

He has already had one stint in Australia at South Australian Premier club Woodville, hogging headlines when he blasted 220 not out in January 2017.

Joe Weatherley spent one season at Woodville. Picture: Stephen Laffer

It was his first double century at any level, backing that effort up the following week with another unbeaten century.

Ringwood tallied the second-lowest ‘runs for’ in 2017-18 after champion all-rounder Holland went down with a shoulder injury early in the season.

Ringwood president Mark Freeman said Weatherley’s addition would boost the Rams’ hopes of a return to finals this Premier Cricket season.

“He’ll certainly open the batting for us, which is one position we rotated quite a bit last season,” Freeman said.

“We couldn’t really find a perfect formula with David King, so we’re quite excited he’ll shore up that opening spot.”

Ringwood won its first five games last season, only to miss its second consecutive finals campaign after finishing with just seven victories.

Young quick Zak Evans will also be available full-time this summer in a boost for Ringwood’s bowling stocks.

Tall left-armer Tom Humphries, middle-order batsman Angus Adamson and leg-spinner Zach Hayes have also joined the Rams from Sub-District Cricket club Bayswater.

All-rounder David Johnson has returned to Ringwood District club Warranwood, while middle-order batsman Jonty Rushton has joined Northcote.

Holland is due to return home in the week before Round 1.

Ringwood is scheduled to open its campaign against Dandenong on October 6 at the revamped Jubilee Park.