Andover teenage talent Sam Ashman has been named Hampshire Under-15 Player of the Year – and awarded a place in the Ageas Bowl academy.

He made over 600 runs in Hampshire Pathway cricket this past summer – one innings of 140 against Sussex at Horsham was particularly outstanding – and played a significant role in Andover’s successful Southern Premier League promotion campaign, scoring 547 runs at average of 36.47.  He made a century at Bashley (Rydal) and three other scores of fifty or more.

Andover finished runners-up behind Hambledon in Division 2 this summer.

Ashman, who is also a talented youth footballer on Swindon Town’s books, will play for the Hampshire Academy in the ECB Southern Premier Division in 2023.  He has already begun intense winter training at the Ageas Bowl.

Andover’s Matt Hooper was delighted with Ashman’s award.

He said: “Sam is a cracking lad and has shown a maturity beyond his years. He has been a standout performer for Andover, despite being of such a young age and doing one of the hardest jobs in cricket, opening the batting.

“He’s been dominating for us and we are pleased he’s taken this form into his county youth cricket. This award is richly deserved for his skill, hard work and dedication, we are delighted for him.”