ADCA 2024-25: Three returning players among four internationals set to suit up for exciting new A-grade season

The Albany and Districts Cricket Association will again be graced with a flurry of English talent this summer with two familiar faces returning for the upcoming season while a new signing has been confirmed.

Manypeaks, Railways, Collingwood Park and Mt Barker will all be buoyed by an international player in their A-grade sides in the 2024-25 season that begins on Saturday.

Bowler Ben Southern will return for another season with Manypeaks while Mt Barker’s bowling attack will again be bolstered by dual-citizen Jack Pope.

Southern took 14 wickets at an average of 33.07 across his 16 matches last season and also featured in the Southern Smash.

Like Southern, Pope played in the Smash and also filled a key role in Bulls’ stacked bowling line-up, taking 14 wickets at 20.57 in 15 matches last season.

The pair join Railways star all-rounder Joe Stanley, who was confirmed last month, as the other returning English international.

Collingwood Park, who had two overseas players last season, have lured the services of 19-year-old top order bat Freddie Sharp.

He played for Dumbleton Cricket Club with former Royals top order batsman Ted Batchelor in the Gloucestershire County Cricket League and studied at prolific cricket school Malvern College.

The young batter is touted as an all-rounder who bowls off-spin but will miss the first two matches of the season.