Hampshire Cricket History

This Combined Services side played v Warwickshire at Edgbaston:

It includes two Gloucestershire spinners, a Kent ‘keeper’, at least two other keepers, a Somerset captain and three Hampshire players – one of whom is still alive and visits every year.

All will be revealed.

The Press Release announces two new “Scholarship Contracts” – presumably a term that replaces Development Contracts?

They have gone to pace bowler Tom Barber and wicket-keeper/batsman Lewis McManus. Both have played for the 2nd XI.

Nothing for off-spinner Brad Taylor but I suspect he’ll be at college for the next two years at least.

Hampshire have signed Matt Coles, Ruel Brathwaite and Will Smith

From today’s BBC website/Radio Solent:

Following the departures of Mascarenhas (retired) and Griffiths (to Kent), Hamza Riazuddin has retired from first-class cricket

Hampshire have awarded promising 22-year-old batsman Sean Terry a full contract for two seasons,

They have released Adam Rouse, Jack Sheppard, Michael Roberts and Jake George.

More signings? Giles White said: “An overseas player is probably the main position left at filling now and we will opt for a bowler and try and find the best one available.”

So five full contract and two development contract players are leaving and three new players plus one new full contract have arrived. No news yet about McKenzie or other development contracts for 2014.

PS: Additional news about Jake George – apparently he has decided to leave in order to go to University. Jimmy Adams did that a decade+ ago …

By which I mean

1. He’s the latest Smith to join Hampshire and if he’s half as good as either of the two brothers that will do nicely but let’s hope he is more successful than the first two Smiths*

2. The latest news appears on the Echo website at: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/cricket/hampshire_cricket/

As someone living further east I’m disappointed that the Portsmouth News can only speculate that Coles may sign. He did so on Thursday evening! There is nothing about Smith on their website

*The first two Smiths were

HAH born 1884 Sandown IOW, played 1909-1914 – 27 matches, batting average of 10.54, and 14 wickets (leg breaks) at 41.00. He played rugby for Barbarians and Hampshire, and hockey for Hampshire. He died in 1955

TM, born 1899 in Lambeth, played 1923/4 in nine matches, batting average 8.90 and didn’t bowl. He died in 1965.

The first batch have arrived (by air for speed) with more to follow. I shall be at the Ageas Bowl this Friday around 3pm (meeting at 3.30) in case anyone can get there. I think arrangements are being made with the shop.

In addition I shall be selling copies (£20 hardback) at

The Hambledon Club lunch this Saturday (5 October) at the Bat & Ball (lunch 1pm)

Before the Hampshire Cricket Society meeting at the Ageas Bowl on Weds 9 October (meeting starts at 8pm)

At Portsmouth Area Supporters lunch on Sunday 20 October at Emsworth’s Brookfield Hotel (lunch starts at 1pm)

At Portsmouth Central Library on Thursday 24 October (Guildhall Square) as part of a talk I’m giving for the Portsmouth Book Fest (www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk)

In November at the Dorset Cricket Society (tbc)

Here’s a strange story and not what you might have expected from the headline:

Adam London & Josh Davey are leaving Middlesex. The story is on here because the pair guested for Hampshire v Bangladesh ‘A’ earlier in the season when that fixture came the day before Hampshire’s YB40 semi-final v Lancashire.

Hampshire have yet to announce departures, beyond Griffiths and Mascarenhas

The votes are in (from their team-mates) and I’m just back indoors so:

Batsman of the Year: Michael Carberry

Bowler of the Year: James Tomlinson

Player of the Year: James Vince

Special Award: Dimi Mascarenhas

I’ve been listening to Sussex beating Durham at Hove today. They needed eight to win when one of those “What Happened Next/Pub Quiz Questions” turned up. Phil Mustard bowled for the first time in his career and had Luke Wright lbw so he’s the final wicket-taker in the Championship’ s First Division! This was their first win in 2013 at Hove and they did finish in third place while the Champions lost. Meanwhile, second placed Yorkshire came off second best against relegated Surrey.

Matt Prior came in and departed rapidly. Over June-September he played 17 first class innings for Sussex and England, never reached 50 and averaged just over 20 in that period

It’s been odd in Div Two as well. We know that Essex played like a Third Division side when in sight of a possible promotion, Northants (second) lost to Worcestershire, Lancashire (top) have just lost to Kent (next to bottom) and the season is finishing with Glamorgan closing in on a victory against Gloucestershire which is on the BBC ball-by-ball broadcast but it’s a very odd finish because the Gloucs guy is exchanging a conversation, presumably with Ed Bevan of Glamorgan but it appears someone has turned his microphone off so we’re only getting 50%!

Even better, he’s suggested to Ed Bevan that he should commentate on the end as his team is winning as a consequence of which nothing is happening! Glamorgan are probably winning.

Next Year?

Championship: Sunday-Wednesday

T20: Mostly Friday nights

YB50: I think two blocks in July/August

Gloucestershire are collapsing v Glamorgan (Benny Howell 7th out just now) and a win for them looks highly improbable in which case Hampshire will finish fourth in the Championship – as they did last year.

Really excellent

Matt Coles has signed a three year contract with Hampshire

For more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24298261

Here’s the Hampshire Media Release

Hampshire Cricket is delighted to announce that all-rounder Matt Coles has signed a three year contract at the county.

Coles took an impressive 21 wickets in five matches at an average of 24 whilst on loan at The Ageas Bowl this season, including 15 at 15.3 in his last two matches. He was the stand-out performer for Hampshire in their last match of the 2013 season against Essex, finishing with career-best match figures of 10-154.

The 23-year old also struck half centuries against Worcestershire and Lancashire.

Coles said; “I’m delighted to have made the move to Hampshire a permanent one. In my short time here I’ve been very impressed with the way Giles White runs things. He has an excellent structure in place and a positive environment in which to develop and hone your skills.

“Everyone at the Club has welcomed me and there’s a great atmosphere in the dressing room. Hopefully, in the month I’ve been here, I have shown the guys that I’m capable of helping the team to achieve the results which will bring us promotion next season and add to the long list of honours at The Ageas Bowl”

Hampshire manager, Giles White added; “Matt has shown match winning qualities during his time with us and we are delighted that he is joining the squad on a permanent basis.  He is a young player with great all round ability and we hope that he is able to fulfil his potential and build on what has been an excellent start to his Hampshire career.”