We preview Hampshire ahead of the 2019 county cricket season.
This county cricket 2019 preview was first published in issue 18 of Wisden Cricket Monthly. Subscribe here.
Hampshire County Cricket Club
Captain: James Vince
Last Season: CC1: 5/8; RL50: Winners; T20: 8/9
Transfers in: Keith Barker (Warks), Aneurin Donald (Gloucs), James Fuller (Middlesex), Dimuth Karunaratne (SL)
Transfers out: Calvin Dickinson, Asher Hart, Chris Sole, Reece Topley (all released), Jimmy Adams, Sean Ervine (both retired)
Stick on: Fidel Edwards
[caption id=”attachment_101945″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″]
Edwards has become one of Hampshire’s most reliable performers[/caption]
Eyebrows were raised when Hampshire signed an ageing quick who appeared to have given up red-ball cricket, but the Bajan has been a revelation, saving them from relegation in 2015 and becoming a cult hero at the Ageas. He took 54 Championship wickets last season.
Wildcard: Aneurin Donald
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‘Nye’ Donald holds the joint record for first-class cricket’s fastest double-ton[/caption]
A prodigiously talented strokemaker who has badly lost his way, the 22-year-old swapped Sophia Gardens for Southampton in an attempt to rediscover the star quality of his teens.
Prediction
CC1: 5/8; RL50: QF; T20: 7/9 South Group
Former Ireland coach Adi Birrell has replaced Craig White at the helm and he has a talented squad at his disposal capable of competing on all fronts. The bowling takes care of itself but the fragile batting could be further weakened if England come calling for James Vince. Sam Northeast, who averaged 25 in the Championship in his first season, will need to step up.
