Despite Andover Cricket Cub’s season being over the club were boosted by the news that two of their players have been awarded Hampshire Academy contracts for the 2025 season. 

Oliver Williams, who played a starring role for the town side this season, joins Sam Ashman in the county ranks hoping to make significant strides towards a professional cricket career.

The two 17-year-olds have had stellar years for the Hampshire youth sides in 2024 alongside other notable performances.

The ex-Harrow Way student, Williams, finished the season with 31 wickets and 200 runs in what was a difficult season for the London Road outfit.

(Image: Andover cricket)

Despite the results, Williams was the standout performer bowling with good pace and skill.

In addition to his wickets for Andover, he also took 24 wickets for Hampshire under 18s, with six in the match against Somerset and five against Middlesex.

He also made his county second XI debut in a game against Somerset second XI at Taunton in the final weeks of the season, which will stand him in good stead for next season and beyond.

Meanwhile, Ashman, who is a top-order batsman, had a brilliant season for Hampshire in his second season as an academy player.

The stylish batter was a crucial part of Hampshire Academy winning the Southern Premier Cricket League for the first ever time, amassing 472 runs.

Ashman, who spent his formative years at Collingbourne Cricket Club before joining Andover, notched over 600 runs for the Hampshire under-18 side including a big hundred against Surrey and 98 against Somerset.

He ended the season as Hampshire second XI top run scorer, showing remarkable consistency for someone so young.

With only seven academy contracts being offered this season, for Andover to have two players in the ranks is a great achievement and credit to the volunteer-run club.

Andover 1st XI captain, Johnny Nyumbu, was extremely proud of Andover’s players and their progress towards the professional game.

The ex-Zimbabwean Test player, who now plays at Andover, said: "Both Ollie and Sam have had brilliant individual seasons, one with the ball and the other with the bat. They have been operating at a consistently high standard all season and it just shows that their hard work pays off."

Andover chairman Phil Knight said: "The club is really pleased for Sam and Ollie. No doubt they are both excellent players and the club are proud to have played a part in their development. We are hopeful that both will continue their progression towards professional cricket and one day we will see both turning out for Hampshire first team.

"Andover Cricket Club prides itself on offering cricket to the local community. We offer youth cricket to children from all backgrounds and abilities from the age of five upwards. These lads are a shining example of what can happen and I’m proud of all the coaches and the work that goes into offering cricket to the people of Andover."