Weston Saint

No idea at present. Coach kept them all in the dressing room on Friday after the win. He has signed for T20 at least. Nothing more said. He has had 20 1st class games (33 innings) with 4 x 100 plus and 6 x 50 plus with a top score of 169 so a possibility. Only 22 as well. He bats as No 4 in Red ball.

James Vince oozed class on Friday and showed us what we have been missing in the Championship. However, it is unlikely that we will to get him back for red ball next season. He has had a house built in Dubai which they have now moved into, the children are at an English school there and have settled. James wife is happy with the change (mostly driven by her, following the nasty attacks last year) The only down side is that it is very hot! Because of his residency in Dubai, he is limited to the time he can spend in the UK or he will have to pay taxes on all his earnings, even though much of it would be outside UK!

I was aware that James was relocating to Dubai at the end of last season so it should not have come as a surprise. The club also know that he wanted to play in the PSL so as that encroached onto our 2025 season the warnings were there. I appreciate that the final decision was as reported. Prest may be the long term answer in there mind. However, it is not as easy as some think in getting a replacement of that experience and standard. Financially, we cannot compete with Surrey and Lancashire at present. We have a limited budget. We have been looking overseas but again; it is difficult to get any top class player to commit to a season long contract. Whilst we have new owners, they have asked that we stick to our pre takeover budget for this year so that everything can be reviewed over the season before a new budget is agreed going forward. We will just have to be patient and enjoy the ride!

Let me express my opinion on here For a few years we have had a problem with opening batting. At present we have Orr, Middleton and Stoneman (bought in for a year to give a bit of experience to that position) Albert was tried last year but he is not a natural opener. Organ has demonstrated he does no have the technique to bat as an opener. The club have persevered with Stoneman and Middleton but Orr is now not far away from getting his chance. With the loss of Vince the middle order needed strengthening with an extra batsman, hence Albert batting at 7. As he develops I see him moving up to No 5 Organ is seen as a bowing all rounder as is Fuller. If it seams, as it is at present Fuller gets the nod. If spin is expected Organ gets that spot. Abbas was not re-signed because we were looking for a quality batting all rounder. With Edwards injury a few weeks before the start we had to look elsewhere with very limited choice and Hampton proved not to be the answer. The batting all rounder was to help support the young bowling attack so they could play some 1st Class Cricket. If we had Abbas they would not get a game and we would lose them. When Wheal came back after the winter break the club were pleasantly surprised at his massive improvement from day one and he has proved to be the perfect opening bowler. He has 19 wickets so far. Abbott also came back fitter and has continued to show himself as world class. This season was realistically seen as a development year. Of course the club want to go one better than last year but there needs to be a quick development from those younger players to achieve that. We won the opening game. We batted all day in two to get draws, one was a weather problem but I think we would have won it we had 4 clear days. The only hick up was the last game. OK, we have not batted too well this game on what was suggested a good batting strip but we have a good lead. Lets see were that takes us.

No only 2, but it was not about bonus points, it was more about batting all day which they did. Bonus points for batting are more difficult in last couple of years. 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 in 110 overs.

Hampshire players who have achieved this award 1900: RM Poore; 1911: CB Llewellyn; 1912: CP Mead; 1914: LH Tennyson; 1933: AS Kennedy; 1959: RE Marshall & D Shackleton; 1969: BA Richards; 1974: PJ Sainsbury; 1975: AME Roberts; 1977: CG Greenidge; 1983: TE Jesty & MD Marshall; 1984: CL Smith; 1990: RA Smith; 2006: KP Pietersen; 2025: LA Dawson.

Oh I don't know, 94/6 looks pretty good to me. Agree though, Hampton does not look a Div 1 allrounder so far. He was a late choice though after Edwards injury

We now know the reason Keith Barker has not featured for 9 Months Club Statement: Keith Barker | Utilita Bowl I was told last year his contract had been renewed but it had not been reported to the media. Be good to have him back

Yes, 2 weeks loan just announced.

I really do not understand this negativity. We bowled Yorkshire out twice and won the game in 3 days. Middleton does well as an opener and has experience now. It is about ticking over in the early overs to take the shine off. Stoneman has great experience and in this game we did not lose early opening wicket as we did all last season. We know Albert has talent. Give him time. Prest, Dawson and Brown as middle order is a strong one. Hampton has only just arrived and was a late choice so again give him a little time. We have Fuller, Barker (injured and not expected to play until mid summer) and Curry (injured but expected to be fit in a couple of weeks) Abbot and Wheal look a great opening bowling partnership with the latter finding more line and length that last campaign. Baker is quick and will take wickets. As he matures he will improve his line and length. Likewise Turner will improve. Turner is expected to play against Surrey instead of Baker as they alternate these young bowlers. Personally, I expect us to be upper mid table this season as our young team grows.

I am told Mo Abbas has gone to Notts. Good luck to him. Great servant for Hants. Edit - club have confirmed. Say it was needed to rebalance the squad.

You are not doing very well so far! JWP has played for West Ham and Notts Forest this season so under Premier rules he cannot play for a 3rd Premier club this season. So why would we make an enquiry?

A little update - There is likely two be an announcement next week on 2 extension to contracts. I have not been told who although Keith Barker (Who I was told about before end of last season) Could be Abbott, I asked! He would not say but got some vibes it could be. The club are working on two potential new signings but the problem is they are finding it difficult getting anyone for more than a couple of months. Likely to hear move as February develops. New owners spoke and 2025 will be a learning time for them. Not going to change the budget for the season and will look at all capital projects again to make sure they are a benefit to the club, the members and the community. These are serious owners but they need time to understand English Cricket. They have allocated a team of five from the company to look and grow with Hampshire and its businesses. One will be based in UK and the others will come over when required.

Can update now. James has signed a 1 year white ball contract to complete his contract with Hampshire. He will not be playing red ball cricket in 2025. He will not be captain of the Championship side as a result but will captain the Vitality Blast T20 where he has committed to play in 2025. There are many reasons for this including 2 attacks on his home by thugs when his wife and children were in residence meaning they spent all summer in a hotel. Despite that James continued to keep his head down and play for Hampshire with pride. Despite the police involvement the matter was not resolved and as ultimately there was no closure it was a key factor in James leaving the UK at the end of the season. He has a wife and two young children to protect. Not heard anything relating to additions or if Abbas and Abbott returning. Rumour that we might sign Tim Southee as overseas player

It is not as straight forward as it seems.