Fast bowler Weatherall signs new deal at Northants
Fast bowler Raphy Weatherall has signed a new two-year contract extension at Northants.
The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on the deal that will see him remain at cinch County Ground until at least the end of the 2028 campaign.
After making his debut as a teenager in 2024, right-arm seamer Weatherall has gone on to play 29 first team matches across all formats, taking 41 wickets.
Weatherall has suffered with injuries, most notably a stress fracture in his back that saw him miss almost the entirety of the 2025 season at Wantage Road.
He suffered no issues throughout 2026, so is now hoping those problems are behind him, and he will now also be able to focus 100 per cent on his cricket career having completed his studies, graduating from university in the summer.
“This year has been a material year for me in that I graduated from my law degree at Exeter University in June,” said Weatherall.
“At a personal level I have worked meticulously on my fitness and strength and I’m delighted to have remained injury free throughout the season.
“The new contract enables me to build on this progress and a full-time commitment with the club can only bring greater opportunity and I am really looking forward to working with the team in the coming seasons.”
Weatherall's three-year contract that he signed in 2024 was due to expire at the end of next summer.
Last season saw the bowler used sparingly on his comeback from a year out.
He played three matches in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two, taking five wickets, while he played five times in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, also claiming five wickets.
Weatherall featured in one match in the Vitality Blast title-winning campaign, taking one for 43 in the 53-run win against Glamorgan at Cardiff in July.
A former England Under-19 player, Weatherall has career-best figures of six for 70 in first-class cricket, four for 50 in List A matches and also four for 50 in T20 cricket.
Head coach Darren Lehmann has been impressed with what he has seen from Weatherall during his time in charge, and he is delighted he has committed to the club.
“Raphy is a very exciting young talent who has a very high ceiling," said the Australian.
“He’s obviously had some pretty big injuries which we’ll continue to manage, but we’re all looking forward for what’s to come from him.”