Rowledge are signing an award-winning Australian grade cricketer as their overseas player for the upcoming Southern Premier League cricket season.

Sydney-based spin all-rounder Justin Felsch helped his club Bankstown win the Albert Cup, the New South Wales Second Premiership, with two stunning individual performances in the finals.

The 22-year-old was named man-of-the-match in the semi-final victory against Northern Districts, taking five for 44 as Bankstown rolled Northern Districts out for 137 and then, batting at seven, made an innings-defining 52 to ensure his side edged a narrow lead.

Bankstown went on to win by six wickets to clinch a cup final spot against Western Suburbs, where Felsch starred once again.

He struck a second consecutive 50 as Bankstown posted 281 – and then produced a phenomenal spell of off-spin bowling to reduce Western Suburbs to 131 all out.

Opening the bowling, Felsch sent down 20 overs, ten of which were maidens, conceding only 17 runs in the process. He wasn’t rewarded with a wicket, but played a lead role in Bankstown’s grand final victory.

Felsch, whose older brother Ryan played for Rowledge in the soggy 2014 season, has also been playing first grade cricket in Sydney this past winter season.

Captained by wicketkeeper Ben Wish for a ninth successive season, Rowledge will be boosted by the return of teenager Ryan Littlewood, who missed all of last season with back problems, and have added Hartley Wintney teen Ben Williams to their squad.

“We are really pleased Justin is going to join the squad,” said Wish. “I have no doubt he will be an asset, and will fit in brilliantly. There is a real buzz as the season approaches and we will once again look to be competitive.”

Rowledge finished in the top half of Southern Premier League Division One last season. The squad will once again be youthful, with just three regular squad players being over the age of 24. Only younger brother Jake, Richard Forbes and David Lloyd remain from Wish’s first game in charge.

The Rowledge formula will be built around spinners Felsch, Lloyd, Ollie Baker and Max Martin. Zac Le Roux, Jonty Sebborn and Jake Wish will be key to scoring runs, particularly at the start of the season when pitches could be indifferent. The Ryman brothers, Will and Olly, will play important roles as seam bowling all-rounders.

Rowledge's T20 campaign will start when they travel to Basingstoke & North Hants on Sunday, May 26. The result of this match, against the newly-promoted Premier Division side, will decide which competition they go into.

Spectators will be welcome at Rowledge throughout the season. Fixtures start at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, May 11, when Rowledge’s first team host Hook & Newnham Basics a week after their first league game away at Sarisbury Athletic on May 4.

Angus Watson has taken on the captaincy of the second team – who will compete in Hampshire County Division Two – and Mike Hinchliffe will captain the third team – who will play in Hampshire County Division Four North.