Weatherley targets Championship recall

Batsman Joe Weatherley, who is on a season-long loan from Hampshire, is relishing his time with Kent and targeting a recall to the Specsavers County Championship squad on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28 when Kent play Leicestershire at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Joe has already played in the championship for Kent earlier in the season and impressed with his performances, showing he is a well-organised batsman with a phlegmatic approach and with a big potential for the future.

The 20-year-old is in tremendous form and scored three successive centuries for the Second XI, two of them in each innings of the latest match against Leicestershire at the County Ground, Beckenham, and one in the previous abandoned game against Gloucestershire at Bristol, twice being not out in the process.

He was unbeaten on 104 against Gloucestershire, and 135 not out in the first innings against Leicestershire and was out for 111 in the second innings of that match which Kent won by one wicket with one ball to spare. Certainly a hot streak of run getting.

“It was frustrating for me when I played in the first team. I got out in the 30s a couple of times when I was beginning to settle in.

“Batting in Second XI games I have been able to keep my innings going and the runs have kept flowing for me. Hopefully I can break back into the senior side when the four-day games start again.”

Kent second XI coach Min Patel has not been surprised by Joe’s run fest and his recent productive form with the bat. “Joe has a very mature head on young shoulders.

“He has a good cricket brain and understands the game well. Above all he is unflappable and is very patient. Nothing worries him when he is out in the middle.”

Team mate Zak Crawley has recently had a birds eye view of Joe’s batting at the other end of the crease as together they have constructed double and single century partnerships in recent matches.

“I have batted with Joe a lot this season and he is a great partner to have during an innings. He is very organised and calm and never panics in any situation. He exudes confidence and I enjoy batting with him, as our recent record together suggests.”