Match Preview: Hampshire Men v Durham, Rothesay County Championship
Hampshire Men return Rothesay County Championship action against Durham at Utilita Bowl over May Bank Holiday weekend
Joe Weatherley is a right-hand batter and right-arm spin bowler.
He was born in Winchester, Hampshire and is a product of Hampshire’s hugely successful youth system.
The top-order batter has represented Hampshire from a young age, coming through ranks as part of the club’s age-group and Academy sides.
Weatherley made the step up to the Second XI in 2015, enjoying an impressive campaign with three centuries and three fifties.
First XI debuts in all formats arrived in 2016 as Weatherley made nine appearances for Hampshire's senior squad that summer: two First-Class games, two List-A matches and five T20s.
Weatherley sealed a loan move to Division Two side Kent for the 2017 season to allow him time in the middle to continue his development, although he returned for the final three County Championship fixtures to help Hampshire retain their Division One status.
The right-hander impressed in a regular spot at the top of the order during the 2018 season, contributing 772 runs across all formats including his first centuries for the club in both the County Championship and Royal London Cup – the latter of which they went on to win the title.
Having made a positive start as an opener again in 2019, including 341 runs in nine Championship innings, Weatherley suffered a fractured ankle which ended his season in July.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a truncated 2020 domestic season, he bounced back from injury in excellent style, totalling 263 runs at an average of 43.83 in the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy and also contributed 185 runs at an average of more than 20 in a shortened Vitality Blast campaign.
A full season with Hampshire in 2021 saw Weatherley vastly improve in white ball cricket, winning the club's White Ball Batter of the Year award. A breathtaking 71 against Somerset in the semi-final was a particular highlight – despite the Hawks falling short. He was also ever present at the top of the order in the County Championship.
Weatherley started the 2022 season with a bang – recording a career best 168 against Somerset in the County Championship. He scored almost 400 runs at an average of 30.46 from eight matches after picking up a hand injury.
He also continued his T20 form in the Vitality Blast, scoring 347 runs as Hampshire Hawks were crowned champions for the third time.
The following season saw limited opportunity in red ball cricket, playing just five matches in the County Championship. However, he once again starred in the Vitality Blast with 379 runs at an average of 42.11, including three half-centuries, as the Hawks made it to a third consecutive Finals Day.
During the Metro Bank One Day Cup, in which Hampshire finished runners-up, Weatherley played in just three matches due to his involvement in The Hundred. He recorded a century against Surrey before playing in both the semi-final and final.
Playing exclusively in white ball cricket for Hampshire during 2024, Weatherley continued to be a consistent performer for the Hawks despite failing to reach the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast. Top scoring with 49 from 32 deliveries, he helped guide the Hawks to their first Blast win of the season by three wickets against Kent.
His top score of the season, 68* from 47 balls, nearly took the Hawks over the line against Sussex, chasing 184 but falling seven runs short. Weatherley finished the season with 12 appearances in the Vitality Blast, scoring 324 runs at an average of 36. He was Hampshire’s top scorer in the tournament.
He also featured three times in Hampshire’s Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign where he scored 104 runs with a best of 93 coming against Derbyshire as the Rose and Crown reached the knockout stages for the third year running.
He featured for the Hawks in the inaugural Global Super League, scoring 51 runs across four fixtures.
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Hampshire Men return Rothesay County Championship action against Durham at Utilita Bowl over May Bank Holiday weekend
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