Asher Hart has returned to Penrith Cricket Club as the club’s professional on a two-year deal.

Hart started his career as a junior at the Tynefield Park outfit and has re-signed for the club despite having a host of other options - including some within first-class cricket. 

The 21-year-old spent several years in Durham’s Academy before leaving them to join Hampshire in September 2016.

Playing alongside West Indian fast bowler Fidel Edwards, England internationals Michael Carberry, Mason Crane, James Vince and Liam Dawson, and Australian George Bailey, Hart played in two first-class matches for Hants.

But alongside wicket-keeper Calvin Dickinson and Scotland bowler Chris Sole, Hart, who is currently playing cricket for Murgheboluc Cricket Club in the Geelong Cricket League in Australia, he was released in October.

Penrith chairman Andy Hall said: “We are over the moon that Asher, with all the options that he did have, has chosen to come back to Penrith.”

As well as bringing Carlisle-born Hart back, Penrith also announced the signing of Solusan Thiru last week.

London-born Thiru recently completed a civil engineering degree at Loughborough University and has taken up a post as a structural design engineer with Kier, based at Skirsgill.

He is also a level two coach and played for Buckhurst Hill in the Shepherd Neame Essex League. 

Elsewhere, Cockermouth have also announced the signing of Sri Lankan Kavishka Anjula as their overseas professional for the 2019 season.