BOURNEMOUTH’S Michael Porter and Parley’s Tom Barber have become the latest graduates of the Dorset production line to join the Hampshire Academy.

Opening batsman Porter and paceman Barber have joined fellow Dorset pair Ryan Scott and Lewis McManus – both second years – on the county staff for 2012.

The quartet all progressed through the Dorset ranks under the tutelage of Matt Keech and are in line to represent the Academy in the Southern Premier League.

Poole-raised Porter burst on to the scene with Bournemouth last season, the teenager crafting several eye-catching knocks in the top flight of the SPL.

The 16-year-old Poole Grammar School pupil, who had his grounding at Poole Town, hit 665 runs at an average of 47.50 and finished fourth in the Premier Division batting statistics.

Barber, who has progressed through the ranks at Parley, took an impressive haul of wickets as they claimed the runners-up berth in the Dorset Premier League last season.

He will be looking to follow in the footsteps of former Parley colt David Payne who was capped by England under-19s and took 42 wickets for Gloucestershire last season.

The new recruits are being put through the paces at the Rose Bowl by former Hampshire opening batsman Tony Middleton, now second XI coach and Academy director, and Jon Ayling, who enjoyed a fruitful career as an all-rounder with the county.

“It has been hard, but really enjoyable,” said Barber, in an interview with the SPL website. “It is a real eye-opener into what young cricketers need to achieve if they are to pursue a career at professional level.

“They push you to your physical limits through personal strength and conditioning programmes so fitness levels are regularly raised and maintained.”

Porter and Barber have joined in the Academy ranks Clayesmore School’s McManus, who made one Minor Counties Championship appearance for Dorset last summer, and Scott, the teenage son of former Bournemouth left-hander Richard Scott, now first-team coach at Middlesex.