ADCA 2024-25: Railways confirm star all-rounder and Englishman Joe Stanley will return for new A-grade season

Railways have received an enormous boost after announcing star all-rounder Joe Stanley will return to Australian shores this summer as the Tigers aim for another rise up the ladder. The 19-year-old Englishman was one of the standout performers in last year’s Albany and Districts Cricket Association season and led the A-grade competition for runs and wickets at the end of the season. He plundered 519 runs at 37.07 and took 25 wickets at 16.88 to clinch the all-rounders gong with 1004 points and finish runner-up in the captains’ player of the year. The talented top order bat and spinner also claimed the Syd Harper Award for best under-21 cricketer in the competition. Tigers captain Coen Marwick said the left-hander’s return was enormous for the club’s pursuit of a finals berth. “It’s very exciting for us as a club; Joe (Stanley) brings a lot of energy as well as a lot of character,” he said. “He is a competitor and drives everyone he plays with and against to be better, so he is also great for the competition. “Joe plays a large role in a push for us to be better again this year and hopefully play finals.” The Whalers are also set to benefit from Stanley’s appearance. The right-arm off spinner took a competition-high 18 wickets at 9.72 and scored 146 for ADCA’s representative side at country week to be named in the all-stars team. Stanley is currently an academy player for County side Worcestershire and has been playing for Wolverhampton in the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket in the UK summer.