Joe Weatherley extends Hampshire stay to 2028 after leading Blast run charts

Joe Weatherley has signed a new Hampshire contract that will keep him at the county until the end of the 2028 season, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday. The 29-year-old batter agreed the extension after a T20 Blast campaign in which he finished as the competition's leading run-scorer, collecting 591 runs at an average just below 50.

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His contributions included two major innings at Finals Day at Edgbaston. Weatherley made an unbeaten 88 against Notts Outlaws in the semi-final, then added 75 in the final against Northamptonshire Steelbacks. Those performances helped take Hampshire to the title decider, but the Hawks were beaten by Northamptonshire and ended the competition without the trophy despite his runs in both matches.

The agreement extends a long association between Weatherley and Hampshire. A graduate of the county's academy, he made his senior debut in 2016 and has since appeared in 211 matches across all formats. In comments carried by BBC Sport, he described Hampshire as his home for 20 years and said he valued both playing for the club and being part of its dressing room.

Weatherley's place in Hampshire's T20 history is also reflected in his career totals. He has scored 2,741 runs for the county in the format, putting him third on its all-time list behind James Vince and Michael Carberry. His Hampshire career already includes success in two white-ball competitions: the 2018 Royal London Cup and the 2022 Vitality Blast.

His recent cricket has not been confined to Hampshire. During last summer's Hundred, Birmingham Phoenix brought him into their squad as a late replacement for the injured Jacob Bethell. That opportunity came alongside a county season in which his Blast scoring and contributions at Edgbaston were prominent features of Hampshire's run to the final.

Discussing the extension, Weatherley said he wanted to contribute across formats and help Hampshire win more trophies. He highlighted the team's regular appearances in white-ball knockout matches and finals, while expressing enthusiasm about the group of players around him. The new deal keeps the academy-developed batter at Hampshire through two further seasons following his competition-leading Blast return.