David Griffiths

A succession of injuries beset the career of David Griffiths, injuries which eventually led to Hampshire releasing this talented bowler with an air of frustration and regret at the end of the 2013 season and Kent taking the same decision three years later. It all added up to 100 appearances in all formats in 12 years since his debut in 2005 and, as he called it a day, he could reflect that it had literally been one of the most painful centuries on the county circuit.

At Kent he had voiced hopes that he could add pace and flair to what was a limited pace bowling attack. But once again he was a regular absentee, bowling only 63 overs in all competitions in 2014. His only Championship match came at the tail end of the season against Gloucestershire when his career-best 6 for 63 against Gloucestershire again left his employees hoping for more. Ill luck also dogged him in 2015 with a tricep injury in pre-season and a back operation in mid-season.

Fit again, he expressed a desperation to reward Kent's loyalty and showed glimpses of form in regular appearances for their NatWest T20 Blast side in 2016, but left the county at the end of the season.

Griffiths is a pace bowler of some talent who came through Hampshire's Academy and gained England U-19 honours. He was given a one-year deal for the 2005 season, but there were signs of things to come when he missed the whole of that summer with a stress fracture of the back. It was not until 2009 that he managed to string together a decent run in Hampshire's 1st XI. The highlight of his summer was taking 4 for 29 to help set up a three-wicket win over Gloucestershire in a NatWest Pro40 match at the Rose Bowl.

Griffiths' seasons began to follow a familiar pattern: he upped his best Championship figures in 2010 with 5 for 85 against Essex at Chelmsford before breaking down; he improved that to 6 for 85 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge before he was again grounded. But amid all the misery he made a significant contribution in 2012 when he dismissed the England batsman, Ian Bell, on 81 in the Clydesdale Bank 40 Final at Lord's to swing the match back in Hampshire's favour.
ESPNcricinfo staff