BASHLEY skipper Richard Morris will have his elder brother James playing alongside him in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League this summer.

The 29-year-old schoolteacher, currently the Berkshire Minor Counties captain, has joined the New Forest club from Falkland, the Newbury-based Home Counties Premier League side.

James Morris, pictured, is a vastly experienced top order batsman, who led Berkshire to the Minor Counties Knockout Trophy in 2013.

“We are delighted to welcome James to the BCG and I’m sure he’ll become a valuable and popular member of our squad,” said his brother, Richard.

“James is a vastly-experienced cricketer now who knows Premier League cricket inside out and he will significantly strengthen our batting line up, whilst also adding value on some of the tactical and leadership aspects of the game.”

Morris added: “There are real similarities between the structure we’re trying to put in place at Bashley and Berkshire CCC with the basic fundamentals of introducing young players and playing an attacking brand of cricket.

"I felt bringing James down at this time to help guide some of the younger players would be invaluable. James’s track record in Premier League, Minor County and First Class Cricket really speaks for itself and it will be great to have him at the club.”

James Morris is the second new face to join Bashley this winter – former Hampshire Academy and Bournemouth teenager Michael Porter having been snapped up back in the autumn.

But while Morris and Porter join, Bashley have said their farewells to Hampshire’s Sean Terry, who has been with them for the past two summers.

“Sean has given us two years of outstanding service and I’m very sad to see him go,” Morris said.

“With Sean having some success with the Hampshire 1st XI towards the end of 2013 – he hit half-centuries against Leicestershire and Worcestershire last September - his availability moving into 2014 was very unknown and we are keen to compile a close knit squad where availability is fairly consistent.

“Sean was a valuable, popular member of the team who I'm sure will go onto have a long successful career in the game and we, of course, wish him all the best.

“His performance in the Southern Electric t20 final, especially having just finished a day's cricket with Hampshire, was superb and really showed the sort of character he is.”