Three strong signings bolster Horsham as Johnson looks to rebuild

New Horsham overseas Jofra Archer bowling for Middleton

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Horsham have bolstered their ranks with the signing of overseas Jofra Archer, Michael Thornely and Joe Ludlow.

West Indian all-rounder Archer is the club’s overseas, having joined from Middleton.

Former Leicestershire and Sussex batsman Thornely has rejoined the club, while Ludlow joins from Three Bridges.

They offset the loss of ex-Sussex man Ben Shoare, who has joined Reigate and Nathan Roberts has moved to London.

Archer comes recommended to Horsham by Barbadian seamer Corey Collymore, who contacted Mark Nash to give his seal of approval on the player he has been mentoring after hearing Horsham were interested in signing

Captain James Johnson, who starts his first full season in charge, said: “He’s a very good player. He’s young, but exciting and seems to be quite a good all-rounder. He bowls quite nicely and with good pace.

“I’d rather have him on my side than against me. Hopefully, he is a good addition as he hits the ball a long way and I have heard he’s a very good fielder.

“If he got the nod from someone like Corey Collymore it can only be a good thing.”

Johnson added that Shoare going to play in another county is a good thing for the player after he was snubbed by Sussex, while he doesn’t expect to see much of George Garton this year after his fine start to the campaign.

On his hopes for the season, the skipper added: “It’s interesting as Horsham prestigiously is a strong club and still is, but we may have missed a trick in the past and not really rebuilt as a club.

“If results go our way, fantastic, but as a club we are looking at it as a bit of rebuilding time and trying to develop a few youngsters.

“At the same time, we have ambitions to do well as we can. I won’t say a number, like top four finish. Maybe on paper we deserve to win games, but it all depends on how we play.”

Horsham face Ifield in the T20 Cup on Saturday, and start their league campaign at home to Brighton & Hove the following week.

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