JOE Weatherley has impressed Hampshire director of cricket Giles White by responding to his England Under-19 omission with two centuries in three days.

The opening batsman captained the U19s in Australia to a creditable draw while making 68 in Perth four months ago, only to be left out of the squad for next week’s return fixture at Durham.

Hampshire duo Tom Alsop and Brad Taylor will both be involved and Mason Crane was also in the original 16-man squad (the leg-spinner’s Royal London One-Day Cup involvement takes priority next week).

But Weatherley’s response has been impressive, writes Simon Walter.

He made two centuries in three days for the 2nd XI this week, having already scored a hundred in a three-day win against Sussex earlier this month.

The 18 year-old completed a stellar July by making 111 and 150 as Glamorgan were beaten at The Ageas Bowl in the Second Eleven Trophy and the Second Eleven Championship.

White said: “How a player responds to adversity says a lot about their character and the way Joe has reacted is very encouraging.

“It’s tough when you get left out of a side. But the way he has responded bodes very well for the future. He just keeps piling on the runs!

“The bottom line is that that is what batsmen are paid to do, to work out a method that gets runs.

“That’s the case with Joe. He’s a typical opening bat. He has a good method, is well organised and can bat time.

“He’s more of Championship-type batsman but he’s more than just a four-day player.”

Weatherley also captained England U19s for most of their 3-2 one-day series defeat against Australia in Perth back in April.

He was left out of the fifth and final rubber, which England won, after a disappointing return with the bat (63 runs at 15.75).

But it is an area of his game that is improving.

“Joe’s one-day game is developing all the time as we saw with his 111 against Glamorgan on Tuesday,” added White.

Weatherley faced 119 balls as Glamorgan were beaten by six wickets, with eight balls to spare.

He then shared in an opening stand of 163 from 39 overs with Sean Terry as Hampshire amassed 467-7 declared in the three-day game that followed.

His 150 came from 276 balls and including 15 fours.

Weatherley also shone with the ball. He took 3-20 from 16 overs with his improving off-spin as Glamorgan were bowled out for 152 in their first innings.

And he finished with match figures of 6-46 after taking 3-26 as Hampshire secured victory by an innings and 72 runs by bowling Glamorgan out for143 yesterday.

“Joe’s a run scorer but also a good all-round talent,” continued White. “He’s done a more than handy job with his off-spin.

“It’s his second string but we’ve been encouraging him to bowl more for the academy and he’s put in two very good all-round performances this week.

“The coaches have done a very good job with all of them, there’s some very good cricket being played.”

Following impressive performances from 18 year-old leg-spinner Crane and Lewis McManus this season, could we see more academy products handed their first-team debuts in the next two months? “Never say never,” added White.