Hampshire county cricket preview: New signings, released players, fixtures, predictions
EXPRESS SPORT is looking forward to the county cricket season which starts this week and today the spotlight is on Hampshire.
Hampshire captain James Vince will look to impress the England selectors again
Hampshire
Last season
CC D1- 8th but reprieved from relegation after Durham financial situation.
RLODC- Group stage, 5th.
T20- Group stage, 8th.
New signings
Asher Hart (Durham)
Fraser Hay (Kolpak)- summer contract
Kyle Abbott (Kolpak)- four-year deal
Rilee Rossouw (Kolpak)- three-year deal
Kyle Abbott has turned his back on South Africa and joined Hampshire
George Bailey is keen to play county cricket for Hampshire and make a difference
Players out
Adam Wheater (Essex)
James Tomlinson (retired)
Andy Carter (retired)
Tino Best (released)
Yasir Arafat (released)
Gareth Andrew (released)
Joe Weatherley (Kent) – season loan
Overseas stars
George Bailey (Aus)- two-year deal, played for Hants in 2013. Could miss games during ICC Champions Trophy.
Club captain
James Vince
Key man
Kyle Abbott – getting a player like the South African seamer on a three-year-deal is some coup for Hampshire and his pace will trouble many a county batsman this season.
England radar
Tom Alsop – the top order batsman was a regular for the England Lions over the winter after a season where he hit his maiden first-class and List-A centuries, both against Surrey.
Young gun
Lewis McManus – nailed down the wicket-keeper spot last season and shone with the bat in the County Championship.
This season's predictions
CC D1- 5th
RLODC- group stage
T20 Blast- knockout stages
Lewis McManus has impressed behind the stumps for Hampshire
Hampshire have a mixture of youth, international stars and experienced heads in their team which makes a recipe for success this season.
Staving off relegation will be tough for a number of teams but Hampshire’s acquisitions may just give them the edge over the others.
After a disappointing year in limited overs cricket last year there should be an improvement in at least one of the competitions, so don’t be surprised to see them at T20 Finals Day in September.
First fixture
CC D1- Yorkshire away, Friday 7th April
RLODC- Kent away, Thursday 27th April
T20 Blast- Glamorgan away, Friday 7th July