Bowling a serious concern for Hampshire
ESPNcricinfo looks at Hampshire's chances in 2015
Alex Winter
01-Apr-2015
Will Smith has a big role to play for Hampshire in 2015 • Getty Images
Last season
Championship: 1st Div 2; NatWest Blast: semi-final; Royal London Cup: 9th group A
Championship: 1st Div 2; NatWest Blast: semi-final; Royal London Cup: 9th group A
In: Andre Adams (Nottinghamshire, player-coach), Gareth Berg (Middlesex), Fidel Edwards (Kolpak)
Out: David Balcombe (Surrey), Michael Bates, Ruel Brathwaite (both released), Matt Coles (Kent)
Overseas: Jackson Bird, Yasir Arafat
Out: David Balcombe (Surrey), Michael Bates, Ruel Brathwaite (both released), Matt Coles (Kent)
Overseas: Jackson Bird, Yasir Arafat
2014 in a nutshell
Hampshire finally won promotion at the third attempt. They always seemed too good for Division Two and in 2014 largely played like it, only losing once; three rain-affected draws kept them close to the pack. There has never been a question over Hampshire's batting - three players topped 1000 Championship runs last season - including Will Smith who proved an excellent signing - but it was the bowling attack that stepped up with Matt Coles taking 41 wickets and Kyle Abbott proving a shrewd overseas signing with 36 scalps at just 20.33 in his nine matches. Hampshire coped surprisingly well when Abbott was unavailable for the final five fixtures, winning three of them to seal the title. Another T20 semi-final was rather par for the course but they lost comfortably.
Hampshire finally won promotion at the third attempt. They always seemed too good for Division Two and in 2014 largely played like it, only losing once; three rain-affected draws kept them close to the pack. There has never been a question over Hampshire's batting - three players topped 1000 Championship runs last season - including Will Smith who proved an excellent signing - but it was the bowling attack that stepped up with Matt Coles taking 41 wickets and Kyle Abbott proving a shrewd overseas signing with 36 scalps at just 20.33 in his nine matches. Hampshire coped surprisingly well when Abbott was unavailable for the final five fixtures, winning three of them to seal the title. Another T20 semi-final was rather par for the course but they lost comfortably.
2015 prospects
Unfortunately the bowling attack that won Hampshire promotion has been broken up with Kyle Abbott only a possible to return late in the season and Matt Coles curiously departing back to Kent. Australian Jackson Bird is a quality operator but with the county season so congested and Bird's history, his fitness must be a concern. How effective a 33-year-old Fidel Edwards, long since cast aside by West Indies (and only arriving in late July), or 39-year-old Andre Adams will be remains to be seen. It all adds up to significant doubt over whether Hampshire have the bowling to compete in Division One. Survival will be a good achievement in their 150th year. Hampshire fans have become accustomed to a jaunt to T20 Finals Day and they should be very strong in the shortest format once again.
Unfortunately the bowling attack that won Hampshire promotion has been broken up with Kyle Abbott only a possible to return late in the season and Matt Coles curiously departing back to Kent. Australian Jackson Bird is a quality operator but with the county season so congested and Bird's history, his fitness must be a concern. How effective a 33-year-old Fidel Edwards, long since cast aside by West Indies (and only arriving in late July), or 39-year-old Andre Adams will be remains to be seen. It all adds up to significant doubt over whether Hampshire have the bowling to compete in Division One. Survival will be a good achievement in their 150th year. Hampshire fans have become accustomed to a jaunt to T20 Finals Day and they should be very strong in the shortest format once again.
Power brokers
Hampshire have a considerable coaching staff with Giles White at the helm. Dale Benkenstein arrived from Durham last season to become first XI coach and this season Andre Adams, the veteran New Zealander, has joined as player-coach. Jimmy Adams remains club captain, a job he has held since 2012, but James Vince has been appointed 50-over captain, adding to the 20-over remit he took on last season. The extra responsibility served Vince well as he enjoyed his best T20 season for three years.
Hampshire have a considerable coaching staff with Giles White at the helm. Dale Benkenstein arrived from Durham last season to become first XI coach and this season Andre Adams, the veteran New Zealander, has joined as player-coach. Jimmy Adams remains club captain, a job he has held since 2012, but James Vince has been appointed 50-over captain, adding to the 20-over remit he took on last season. The extra responsibility served Vince well as he enjoyed his best T20 season for three years.
Key player
Will Smith has enjoyed a fine career - part of four Championship winning side - without being a consistent performer but his move to Hampshire could address that. He made 1000 Championship runs in a season for the first time last year and proved a calm, steady player that more lavish strokemakers could build around. That is a sound template to take up to Division One and Smith will again have a crucial role to play if Hampshire are to survive. His offspin has also proved very useful.
Will Smith has enjoyed a fine career - part of four Championship winning side - without being a consistent performer but his move to Hampshire could address that. He made 1000 Championship runs in a season for the first time last year and proved a calm, steady player that more lavish strokemakers could build around. That is a sound template to take up to Division One and Smith will again have a crucial role to play if Hampshire are to survive. His offspin has also proved very useful.
Bright young thing
Hampshire need a bowler to make a breakthrough in the Championship this season and 24-year-old Chris Wood could be the man. A brisk left-armer, Wood has delivered in one-day cricket, closing out big matches, but injury has stalled his progress with the red ball. When he regained fitness for the final four matches of last season he took 15 wickets at 16.80, suggesting he could become a key member of the Championship attack.
Hampshire need a bowler to make a breakthrough in the Championship this season and 24-year-old Chris Wood could be the man. A brisk left-armer, Wood has delivered in one-day cricket, closing out big matches, but injury has stalled his progress with the red ball. When he regained fitness for the final four matches of last season he took 15 wickets at 16.80, suggesting he could become a key member of the Championship attack.
ESPNcricinfo verdict
There does not appear enough bite in Hampshire's bowling to match some of the fancied sides in Division One but their batting should make them competitive and a mid-table finish is well within their reach. But it would be no surprise if they are in a relegation scrap. Hampshire should be there or thereabouts once again in T20 and they should bounce back from last season's aberration in the 50-over competition.
There does not appear enough bite in Hampshire's bowling to match some of the fancied sides in Division One but their batting should make them competitive and a mid-table finish is well within their reach. But it would be no surprise if they are in a relegation scrap. Hampshire should be there or thereabouts once again in T20 and they should bounce back from last season's aberration in the 50-over competition.
Bet365 odds
LV= Championship, Div 1: 11-1, NatWest T20 Blast: 6-1, Royal London Cup: 10/1
LV= Championship, Div 1: 11-1, NatWest T20 Blast: 6-1, Royal London Cup: 10/1
Alex Winter is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo He tweets here