White joins Hampshire coaching staff

Craig White, the former Yorkshire and England allrounder, is to join Hampshire's coaching set-up ahead of the new season. White had been expected to pursue a career as an umpire after leaving his position as coach of Yorkshire's second XI in November of last year, but he will now take up his new role on March 1.

White left Yorkshire after more than two decades as a player and coach, with the club bringing in Jason Gilliespie and Paul Farbrace as part of a backroom shake-up. He retired as a player in 2008, having made more than 12,000 runs and taken 395 wickets in first-class cricket, with 30 Test appearances for England and another 51 in ODIs.

"This is a very exciting new challenge for me," White said. "I've been at Yorkshire for 22 years but I now feel it would be interesting to see how things are at a new county. I've always admired the way things are done at Hampshire - it seems a very focused but relaxed place so it should be exactly my kind of atmosphere. They've got some great young cricketers there so I'm looking forward to working with them."

Hampshire finished bottom of Division One in last season's County Championship and were subsequently relegated. It has been a winter of change at the Rose Bowl, with players such as Dominic Cork, Nic Pothas and Michael Lumb all departing. Simon Katich has been signed as the county's overseas player, while Jimmy Adams will continue as captain after taking up the role at the end of last season.

Giles White, the Hampshire manager, said: "The players and staff are excited about this appointment. We all look forward to working with Craig and tapping into his experience. We are delighted to have him at Hampshire."