HAMPSHIRE Cricket have fought off competition from a number of counties to sign promising young Oxfordshire bowler Rory Hipwell.

The 16-year old fast-bowler caught the eye of the Hampshire coaching staff representing South and West at the Bunbury Festival – an annual event designed to discover and nurture the talents of many young cricketers from across the country.

Hipwell who is a pupil at St Edwards School, Oxford, and plays his club cricket for Horspath CC, will begin training at the Ageas Bowl this winter ahead of the 2016 season. He will take his place in the county’s Academy next season.

Head of Player Development at Hampshire Cricket, Charlie Freeston, said: “We are delighted that Rory has decided to join us at Hampshire.

“He is a very high potential young fast bowler and we are looking forward to working with him at the Ageas Bowl this winter and also watching him perform in a Hampshire shirt for the 2016 season.”

Hipwell, whose Twitter account profile picture is a shot of him with England’s Moeen Ali, said: “I very much look forward to joining Hampshire.

“It is an opportunity that I could have only dreamed of when I started playing cricket years ago.

“I will look to cherish every moment that I have to train in such a professional and quality environment and make my cricket the best it could ever be.”

Hipwell was one of three Oxfordshire players selected for the 29th Bunbury Festival at Worcestershire’s Malvern College last July.

He was one of only 56 under-15 players in England chosen to attend the annual festival, which has produced more than 300 players who have gone on to play first-class cricket.