A Hampshire CCC story

[Hampshire]

Hampshire CCC

Thought I'd start a new story now that the 2015 version is out with my home county of Hampshire. As some of you may know Hampshire have notoriously been one of the best T20 sides around in England in recent years but have struggled slightly in the championship, fortunately gaining promotion from the last game of the season back to division 1 at the end of last season. The club has outlined the following aims for each tournament :

LV county championship

Establish the team in the first division and avoid relegation. A large amount of the team have little experience in division 1 so it is expected that time will be required to bring the team up to a highly competitive standard.

Royal London one day cup

Build on the slightly farcical results of last year where the games began to be used as training for younger members of the squad and hope to at least finish in the upper half of the group preferably progressing to the next round.

Natwest T20 Blast

Carry on the teams success in this format by at least reaching the semi finals with an attendance to T20 finals day, however it is understandable that this may have to take a backseat if we are to balance ourselves across the format putting more priority on FC cricket.

Squad

This is Hampshires current squad. Andre Adams has been brought in the off season as a FC specialist to bolster the bowling by the previous coach. Jackson Bird is our full overseas for this season a promising young Aussie seamer and the experience of Yasir Arafat as a T20 overseas. Owais Shah is also the only specialist T20 batsman in the squad.





Next up will be the chance for us to take a look at a few players available to purchase prior to the start of the season. A reserve bowler or another T20 overseas may be a consideration due to Jackson Bird currently having a long term appearing injury as well as the slight possibility of an Australian squad call up.

[DjF]

As a huge Hampshire fan myself I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on, hope you more success than we are at present!

[Hampshire]

As a huge Hampshire fan myself I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on, hope you more success than we are at present!

Cheers, at least we're looking like we may get through to the quarters of the T20 now!

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New signings

Hampshire have announced 2 surprising new signings for their T20 campaign this season having bought in England veteran Andrew Flintoff released by Lancashire towards the end of last season. It is hoped he will bring some experience and ideas to the squad and assist in the development of the younger players. Also purchased is Australia vice-captain Steven Smith, who will miss the start of the season due to IPL but be available following it. This may lead to some tough decisions for Hampshire having 3 overseas players available at times in the tournament.

Given Jackson Bird being diagnosed with a long term 12 week injury young New Zealand bowler Ben Wheeler has been drafted into the squad as a reserve. Although there is a chance he will break into the New Zealand test squad it is hoped he will be positioned on the sidelines therefore desperate to perform.

Up next will be the university warm up game. It is expected that a good strength team will be put out in order for me as the new coach to get a look at all the players and hopefully play them into form for the new season in divison 1.

[Hampshire]

Hampshire v Loughborough UCCE
Warm-up Game

We opted to go into this game with what I believed was a full strength team in order to get a good look at everyone. We have some good backup options available in the bowling with Fidel Edwards, Gareth Berg and Chris Wood all being on the sidelines. There is slightly less depth to the batting with Joe Gatting and Sean Terry being the most notable available but not played. Loughborough won the toss and put us in to bat on what was to be a day that would gradually become increasingly overcast but not due to rain.

Although Michael Carberry fell early to the new ball it is hoped that his international experience will do him well in division 1 cricket. There was a mix of good scores from around the team, with wicket keeper Adam Wheater being the only one to push on for the 100. There was also a surprising cameo from New Zealand bowler Ben Wheeler as he hit 95 off 126 to partner Wheater and we declared following their wickets at 510 in day 2.

Although Loughborough started worryingly well with a 110 run opening partnership once this was over some good bowling all round, particularly though from Andre Adams restricted them to 243 as the middle and lower order collapsed hugely. We opted to enforce the follow on in order to get more of a look in at our bowling options.

Without a large opening stand however this time Loughborough fell quickly in the last day to give us a win by an innings and 86 runs. Again wickets were taken all round by the team with Danny Briggs taking the most impressive figures of 4/49. Ben Wheeler was awarded man of the match for his score of 95 and combined figures of 3/98.

Up next is our opening game of the county championship against Surrey.