South Wilts underlined their intentions of winning back the ECB British Gas Southern Premier League title by signing Australian all-rounder Ian Holland, who made his Hampshire debut this week.
The 24-year old all-rounder plays for the Melbourne-based Ringwood Grade club in the powerful Victoria Premiership back home and is a regular in Vic’s second team, without having yet made a Sheffield Shield debut.
“Ian looks a class act,” said former South Wilts locum skipper James Hayward after watching him debut in a recent warm-up match at Falkland.
“He bats sensibly, builds an innings and has superb timing. He’s a very handy on-the-spot medium-pace bowler too.”
If Holland repeats his wicket-taking and run scoring exploits for Fleetwood in the Northern Premier League two seasons ago, he make South Wilts a real force in the Premier League after an anti-climatic 2016 season when the championship pennant was surrendered.
Hayward only took on the captaincy when Tom Morton joined Ealing, but with James Hibberd now at the helm, the spin all-rounder is looking to enjoy himself, particularly with the bat.
“The shackles are off and I can play with freedom. I really enjoyed my knocks at Falkland (where he made a century) and Potterne in the ECB Cup last week, so hopefully I’ll have a decent season.”
Eddie Abel’s probable return after a season’s sabbatical is another boost for South Wilts, who have lost off-spinner Rob Franklin, but still have plenty of bowling options, especially with Holland on board.
“Things are looking good,” Hayward added. “Gelling nicely, so there’s plenty to look forward to – and a title to win back.”
The 24-year old all-rounder plays for the Melbourne-based Ringwood Grade club in the powerful Victoria Premiership back home and is a regular in Vic’s second team, without having yet made a Sheffield Shield debut.
“Ian looks a class act,” said former South Wilts locum skipper James Hayward after watching him debut in a recent warm-up match at Falkland.
“He bats sensibly, builds an innings and has superb timing. He’s a very handy on-the-spot medium-pace bowler too.”
If Holland repeats his wicket-taking and run scoring exploits for Fleetwood in the Northern Premier League two seasons ago, he make South Wilts a real force in the Premier League after an anti-climatic 2016 season when the championship pennant was surrendered.
Hayward only took on the captaincy when Tom Morton joined Ealing, but with James Hibberd now at the helm, the spin all-rounder is looking to enjoy himself, particularly with the bat.
“The shackles are off and I can play with freedom. I really enjoyed my knocks at Falkland (where he made a century) and Potterne in the ECB Cup last week, so hopefully I’ll have a decent season.”
Eddie Abel’s probable return after a season’s sabbatical is another boost for South Wilts, who have lost off-spinner Rob Franklin, but still have plenty of bowling options, especially with Holland on board.
“Things are looking good,” Hayward added. “Gelling nicely, so there’s plenty to look forward to – and a title to win back.”
