Weston Saint

https://www.utilitabowl.com/cricket/news/hampshire-confirm-men’s-coaching-appointments/

Think he is still playing for Casa Pia in Portuguese Premeira Liga. In fact he scored on Saturday

Subject to medical today/tomorrow. Deal to end of season with additional year option. Also subject to usual clearance.

On an X poll run by SaintsExtra "would you support Russell Martin returning" with 834 votes so far 83% say No.

One thing I could not report on until now (Adi would have not known until this morning) was that when Adi Birrell announced to the squad he was not renewing his contract and leaving at the end of the season, they contacted his son to see what would be a good leaving gift from them. He said Adi needed a new Bull for the farm. They paid for it out of their pockets by contributing a percentage of their salary so it was a fair and even donation. Just shows the closeness of the dressing room and the respect they had for him. I spoke to Adi on Thursday. He is going to do some farming and may take a coaching job going forward but not a big one like the Hampshire one was.

Well, that was a lucky escape. One of our problems this season has been that we had an excellent coach whose knowledge and Man Management skills were excellent, but he was not a strong enough voice in the dressing room. That was his character and personality. That is fine if you have a strong character as Captain. Vince was good in that respect. Brown is an excellent tactician but again, a quiet character. We need a strong character with authority next season. Some of the younger players need to step up. Prest has been a disappointment. There may be reasons for that not being said. Albert has a good character and even practices on his own to get extra time batting. He is a determined character and hopefully he will succeed. Currie was devastated after the loss in the T20 and One day cup. Blamed himself and was unconsolably for at time. That shows a good spirit and another who will likely succeed. Ben Mayes is one for the future. England are already snooping around. Apparently, he is ahead of Root at the same stage in his career. If he continues to improve, we have a star. Recruitment continues to be an issue. We had one player we had approached only for Australia to pick him for heir squad. Another from a county where we offered an increased deal only for his present club to match it. It is happening more and more. (Don’t ask me to name names or clubs because I will not). Orr is beginning to get confidence and push on. Middleton is steady although there is still room for improvement. Gubbins has had a poor second half red ball but don't write him off just yet. We need a good strong experience number 4 next season. Dawson is Dawson at 5 Bowling department is ok, through plenty of inexperience. Club will have to do a lot of sole searching over the winter and rest assured.. they know it.

Chahar does not have and England contract though, he is Indian. ECB made the decision which is why Surrey England contract players could not play as they have to play for England in three months!! (from a Surrey Official today)

Baker was not allowed to play. ECB said he had not played enough Red Ball leading up to this game and 4 days might be too much for a young player on an England Contract...true but you could not make it up.!!

Hampshire had a previous poor pitch in last 24 months so got 8 point deduction, which is the normal. They are also now on a suspended 24 point deduction for any further offence during 2026. Believe it or not Somerset was first offence for last 24 months so got 4 of the 8 points deducted suspended. Case Outcome: Hampshire CCC Case outcome: Somerset CCC

Yes that has frustrated Adi Birrell this season in particular. I have had more than one conversation with him on that subject. Think that is one of the reasons he decided not to renew his contract but we have not spoken regarding him going.

Wow, reading some of the comments on hear makes me feel I am on the wrong forum! Why the negative for Gubbins. This is the only format where he is captain and he got us to the final. He also got the highest scorer in this competition. You have to bowl your most experienced bowler, Abbott, with his full allocation of 6 overs. We managed to get Currie back from England and his bowling justified 6 as well. The rest could only have a maximum allocation of 5. With the side we put out at the beginning of this competition we did very well to reach the final. Worcestershire were always favourite especially when they won the toss and we fell short on runs. 27 overs made it nearer to T20 mode for them. For T20, we were captained by Vince. Again with the disruption of overseas in and out because of other duties we did very well to reach the final and were beat by a club who were favourites early in the tournament. In the Championship we were captained by Brown. We always know this was going to be a challenging year of transition and without the points penalty, which is not the fault of the players, we would have been 5th and safe for another year. Yes I am disappointed with the season but I am not about to put any blame on individuals. Our younger players have to step up to the mark in the red ball game next year but it takes time.

1948/49 season. As you say Charlie Wayman injured (or was he dropped under pressure from the board!) and we drew at home to WBA. We then lost to Chesterfield away and missed out on promotion by two points. Fulham and WBA went up. Bill Dodgin was our Manager and he left to join Fulham!!!

Although a Saints supporter since birth in 1952 (at least from when I understood football) my first game was John Hollowbread testimonial at the Dell against Portsmouth at the end of the 1965/66 promotion season. We won 6-1 and I was hooked attending all home and some away games until work intervened at the end of the 1970 season. Just occasional then until a got a season ticket following retirement in 2003. We had just been relegated from Premier when I signed up and I continued to go until about 4 years ago when I got disillusioned with the incessant poor football from us. Now follow from the armchair although I get the occasional offer of a seat in a box which I usually take

We play Yorkshire at Scarborough on Sunday in SF

As far as I know there is a reserve day tomorrow