Weston Saint

I really do not understand this negativity. We bowled Yorkshire out twice and won the game in 3 days. Middleton does well as an opener and has experience now. It is about ticking over in the early overs to take the shine off. Stoneman has great experience and in this game we did not lose early opening wicket as we did all last season. We know Albert has talent. Give him time. Prest, Dawson and Brown as middle order is a strong one. Hampton has only just arrived and was a late choice so again give him a little time. We have Fuller, Barker (injured and not expected to play until mid summer) and Curry (injured but expected to be fit in a couple of weeks) Abbot and Wheal look a great opening bowling partnership with the latter finding more line and length that last campaign. Baker is quick and will take wickets. As he matures he will improve his line and length. Likewise Turner will improve. Turner is expected to play against Surrey instead of Baker as they alternate these young bowlers. Personally, I expect us to be upper mid table this season as our young team grows.

I am told Mo Abbas has gone to Notts. Good luck to him. Great servant for Hants. Edit - club have confirmed. Say it was needed to rebalance the squad.

You are not doing very well so far! JWP has played for West Ham and Notts Forest this season so under Premier rules he cannot play for a 3rd Premier club this season. So why would we make an enquiry?

A little update - There is likely two be an announcement next week on 2 extension to contracts. I have not been told who although Keith Barker (Who I was told about before end of last season) Could be Abbott, I asked! He would not say but got some vibes it could be. The club are working on two potential new signings but the problem is they are finding it difficult getting anyone for more than a couple of months. Likely to hear move as February develops. New owners spoke and 2025 will be a learning time for them. Not going to change the budget for the season and will look at all capital projects again to make sure they are a benefit to the club, the members and the community. These are serious owners but they need time to understand English Cricket. They have allocated a team of five from the company to look and grow with Hampshire and its businesses. One will be based in UK and the others will come over when required.

Can update now. James has signed a 1 year white ball contract to complete his contract with Hampshire. He will not be playing red ball cricket in 2025. He will not be captain of the Championship side as a result but will captain the Vitality Blast T20 where he has committed to play in 2025. There are many reasons for this including 2 attacks on his home by thugs when his wife and children were in residence meaning they spent all summer in a hotel. Despite that James continued to keep his head down and play for Hampshire with pride. Despite the police involvement the matter was not resolved and as ultimately there was no closure it was a key factor in James leaving the UK at the end of the season. He has a wife and two young children to protect. Not heard anything relating to additions or if Abbas and Abbott returning. Rumour that we might sign Tim Southee as overseas player

It is not as straight forward as it seems.

Hampshire Sport & Leisure Group Signs Definitive Acquisition Agreement With GMR Group | Utilita Bowl Explainer - Have Delhi Capitals just bought Hampshire? | ESPNcricinfo Definitely good news in its present format. You will not believe some of the other interest including Venture Capitalists, Americans etc.

Think you have forgotten rain was due and England were well behind the DL rate. All about trying to keep below the 20 over minimum for a match. As it was the rain came just after the 20 overs so we lost!

Well we ended up 2nd 17 points behind Surrey. Had we drawn away to Surrey early in the Season their 16 points would have been 8 each meaning 1 point behind. We were deducted 2 points for slow over rate meaning if the loss and points deduction had not happened we would have won the Championship by 1 point. Small margins and what ifs but it just shows we are not that far off.

Abbott is married with a new child. It will up to him whether he signs an extention. Talks are going on but outcome not yet resolved. I understand Barker has signed a 1 year extension. He has been troubled by injury this year and presently has a groin niggle. Robin Smith has been very ill in Australia and just come out of hospital. He has a long road to recovery so fingers crossed for him. Scott Currie should be back next season after a good season with Leicester including a batting best of 120.

Spoke to Aidi, the coach. We had forced the follow on in the previous two games and not won because bowlers were tired. Wanted to give them a good time to rest. Team very comfortable with our score. Now up to bowlers. 5 down is not a bad response.

Plus youngsters of course.

kookaburra ball being used again so would not be surprised if Kent recover a little but let us see.

Not Beefy's. in our own Executive club Restaurant.