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Four youngsters have signed Rookie contracts with the Club ahead of the 2023 season
Fletcha Middleton, John Turner, Harry Petrie and Joseph Eckland have all been awarded rookie contracts by Hampshire Cricket.
Rookie contracts are the stepping stone between the Academy and the senior squad with the players training and interacting with the first team.
21-year-old Fletcha Middleton is a talented young batter and has been impressive at Second XI level for a number of years now. He is the son of former Hampshire cricketer and current batting coach Tony Middleton and made his First XI debut in 2021.
Last season, Middleton played in all ten of Hampshire’s Royal London Cup matches, as they reached the semi-final stage. He scored 219 runs, at an average of 27.37, with a best score of 64 coming against Derbyshire. The batter also made his First-Class debut in 2022, recording a half-century against a Sri Lankan Development XI.
Fletcha had a strong season last year in many ways – did really well in the Royal London Cup which was great to see. Another who has come through our pathway and has captained the Academy side. He has shown really good signs that he can cope with batting at higher levels and we hope he can keep improving in the upcoming season.
Charlie Freeston, Hampshire Cricket Head of Player Development
John Turner is a South African fast bowler who first impressed for Hampshire’s First XI in the 2021 Royal London Cup. He too made a First-Class debut against the Sri Lanka Development side and recorded impressive figures of 5-31.
More stellar performances followed in the 2022 Royal London Cup, taking 20 wickets – which was top in the Club’s rankings and second across the whole competition. Turner recorded two five wicket-hauls in the 50-over competition, with his best figures of 5-25 coming against Lancashire at The Ageas Bowl.
John is another player who had a great Royal London Cup campaign. He had a slightly different route to get to us but we have always seen his potential as a future Hampshire player. He’s an exciting seamer and a really good character who is highly competitive. We are looking forward to seeing him push others for places in the First XI.
Charlie Freeston, Hampshire Cricket Head of Player Development
Tall seamer Harry Petrie is another who has made an impression for the Second XI over the last couple of years. His game time in 2022 was limited due to injury but he also played in the match against Sri Lanka’s Development XI, taking 3-48 in their first innings and finishing with match figures of 4-71.
Harry is returning after a couple of years of frustrating injury concerns but he has worked really hard to get back to where he’s at and there’s no signs that it has impacted him. A very accurate tall seamer who came through our pathway and did really well through the age groups. Has earned his rookie deal from his performances and we’re looking forward to what will be an exciting season for him.
Charlie Freeston, Hampshire Cricket Head of Player Development
Finally, 18-year-old Joseph Eckland has also landed a rookie deal with the Club. The wicket-keeper batter has made his way up through the age group sides at The Ageas Bowl and was recently selected to play in two ODIs for England Under 19’s during their tour of Australia.
Joseph had a really good season with the Academy and captained the side on plenty of occasions. As a result of his improvement in both keeping and batting, he enjoyed a great season in red-ball cricket for the Second XI. His performances earned him an England Under 19’s selection for their ODI series against Australia. He’s a really good team man, an exciting player and I’m sure he will be a popular member of the squad.
Charlie Freeston, Hampshire Cricket Head of Player Development
The best way to watch the Hampshire squad in action in 2023 is with a Hampshire Cricket Membership.
Memberships for 2023 are now on sale, from £200 for a standard membership, £69 for young adults, whilst a Junior Membership is available for only £25.
A Hampshire Cricket Membership provides the chance to be part of the Hampshire family and incorporates a whole host of exciting benefits for 2023.
Members are at the heart of everything that happens at Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl, and the Club continuously look to improve the Membership offering.
