HIGHLY-rated Poole prospect Scott Currie has officially joined the Hampshire Academy set-up ahead of the new season.

The 16-year-old is one of a handful of players in the new intake, which also includes Sonny Reynolds, Tom South and George Metzger.

Currie is believed to be the youngest player to have represented Dorset after making his debut against Wiltshire in June.

The tall seamer and his older brother Bradley both honed their skills playing through the county's age group system.

Left-armer Bradley is on the books at Surrey, while right-armer Scott was last season picked to play for the South & West in the ECB Super 4s Under-17 Regional Championships in Loughborough.

Priestlands School's George Pardoe, who plays for Bashley, ex-Canford School pupil Felix Organ, Canford School lower sixth-former Zac Organ, Tom Scriven, Chris Searle, Rory Hipwell and Miles Kantolinna return to the academy this season, having featured in 2017.

Head of player development Charlie Freeston told the club website: “We’re pleased to bring a number of exciting prospects into our set-up and they join a group of quality cricketers.

“They have all worked hard during the winter and we’re looking forward to what we hope will be another positive season.”

Hampshire Academy finished eighth in last year's Southern Premier League campaign.