County Championship 2021: Hampshire preview

Captain

James Vince

Last year

4/6 South Group

Player movements

In: Mohammad Abbas (Pak)

Out: Harry Came, Fidel Edwards, Oli Soames (all released)

Key player

Kyle Abbott – the South African seamer was desperately missed last season. Abbott has taken 181 wickets at 19 since calling time on his international career in 2017 and will form a new-ball partnership with Mohammad Abbas – who has signed for at least the first two months of the season – which would delight most Test sides.

Bolter

Aneurin Donald – it’s five years since the Welshman, then only 19, equalled the record for first class cricket’s fastest double-century, but the game has not been kind to him since. Poor form convinced him a fresh start was required and he left Glamorgan in 2019, making a solid start at his new county before an ACL injury ruled him out for the whole of last summer. Can he now add some sparkle to a faltering batting unit?

County Championship 2021: Hampshire Fixtures

Leicestershire v Hampshire, Thursday April 8, Grace Road

Hampshire v Middlesex, Thursday April 15, Ageas Bowl

Hampshire v Gloucestershire, Thursday April 22, Ageas Bowl

Surrey v Hampshire, Thursday April 29, Kia Oval

Hampshire v Somerset, Thursday May 6, Ageas Bowl

Middlesex v Hampshire, Thursday May 13, Lord’s

Hampshire v Leicestershire, Wednesday May 19, Ageas Bowl

Somerset v Hampshire, Thursday June 3, Taunton

Hampshire v Surrey, Sunday July 4, Ageas Bowl

Gloucestershire v Hampshire, Sunday July 11, Cheltenham

You can check the full list of County Championship fixtures here.

Wisden says

Hants were ravaged by injury and Covid related unavailability last summer but Nathan Lyon’s no-show at least gave Mason Crane (14 wickets at 14) the opportunity to remind English cricket of his precocious talent. With Abbas and Abbott leading the way, the left-armer Keith Barker offering variety, and Liam Dawson back from his injury lay-off, the attack sizzles. The batting, however, is a worry, particularly if James Vince’s exceptional T20 form persuades England to come calling once again. Only homegrown opener Joe Weatherley showed any kind of form in the BWT, while Sam Northeast failed to build on an impressive 2019. Still, if you’ve got Abbott and Abbas taking the new cherry, you probably won’t need to score too many

Prediction

5th in Division 1