Hampshire began their 2022 season at home as they welcomed Somerset to The Ageas Bowl at the start of April.
The away side were bowled out for just 180 with all six of Hampshire’s bowlers picking up at least a wicket.
With the bat it was Hampshire’s openers who top scored with 81 from Ian Holland and a career-best 168 from Joe Weatherley. Skipper James Vince also picked up a half century as his side secured maximum bonus points with a strong total of 428.
Mohammad Abbas – on his return to the Club – was the pick of the bowlers in Somerset’s second innings with figures of 4-22, taking his match figures to 6-50. Somerset could only add 135 runs to their total to give Hampshire an opening round innings victory inside three days.
A trip to the Kia Oval came next but Hampshire found themselves on the opposite side of the result.
Surrey’s total of 467, much thanks to Ollie Pope’s 127, proved to be too much for Hampshire to chase down as they fell 17 runs shorts after the second innings – despite half centuries in the match from Keith Barker, Weatherley and Vince.
Another away trip followed and was yet again won before a fourth innings was played.
Kent had made a decent score of 305, with Barker providing a six-wicket haul, before Hampshire’s middle order took control with the bat.
A career-best of 171 from Liam Dawson was back up by Vince (111) and a first Hampshire ton from Ben Brown (157) to finish their innings with 652.
Kyle Abbott then recorded his first five-for of the season to give is side their second victory of the season as Kent were wiped out for 296.
Hampshire were back at home for the visit of Lancashire.
Nick Gubbins was the star of the show with the bat, making centuries in both innings, while Barker recorded figures of 5-67 in Lancashire’s first innings.
On the final day of play, Hampshire need ten wickets to secure victory but rain put an end to those hopes with the match ending in a draw.
Gloucestershire then made the trip down to the south coast looking for a first win of the season.
Felix Organ, who replaced an injured Weatherley at the top of the order, and James Vince high scored in the first innings with 107 and 78 respectively, while Aneurin Donald made a brilliant 89 on his return to the side in the second innings.
Mohammad Abbas was the key man in the attack taking a six-wicket haul on his way to match figures of 9-107 as Hampshire won by 87 runs.
Next was a visit to Taunton for the reverse fixture against Somerset where, again, Hampshire’s bowling attack shone.
Somerset’s 211 played Hampshire’s 280 after each side’s first innings before the trio of Barker, Abbas and Abbott took the game away from the hosts.
Barker took 6-27, with the overseas pair also taking two wickets each, to bowl Somerset out for just 69. It left Hampshire needing just one run to pick up their fourth win of the season.
After a three week break from four-day action, Hampshire took on Yorkshire at home in mid-June.
Both sides made over 400 in the first innings, with Brown and Gubbins picking up half-centuries for Hampshire, as the game looked to be heading for a draw.
However, Yorkshire found themselves all out for 178, with Barker, Abbott and Wheal taking three wickets apiece, as the match sprung to life.
Wickets continued to fall for Hampshire but a vital 67 from Liam Dawson enabled them to hold on and secure another victory.
After four straight wins, a low scoring affair at Chelmsford saw Hampshire fall to defeat against Essex.
Liam Dawson recorded his first career ten-wicket match haul and took 7-68 in Essex’s second innings as spin seemed to be the key on a tough pitch.
Although Organ put on 65 and Barker looked to be closing in on the target towards the ends, Hampshire fell 12 runs short.
Following that defeat came a visit from Warwickshire at The Ageas Bowl.
Kyle Abbott took another five-for, while Ian Holland (99), Liam Dawson (92) and Ben Brown (72*) gave Hampshire the advantage.
Another classy bowling display left a simple final run chase and James Vince’s side recorded a comfortable bounce back victory.
A trip to Cheltenham came after to play Gloucestershire in scorching conditions and Organ made his career high score of 118 in the first innings.
James Vince also made 95 as the team’s total reached 457 before some long stints in the field followed.
Having enforced a follow on from the first innings, with Liam Dawson’s 4-44 the pick of the bunch, the second innings provided more of a challenged for Hampshire’s attack.
On the final day, in need of wickets to avoid the draw, Kyle Abbott took a remarkable hat-trick taking out Miles Hammond, Zafar Gohar and Tom Price in consecutive balls either side of lunch.
He went on to take 6-76 which gave Hampshire the lift they needed to go on and secure another victory.
Scarborough then played host to the reverse match against Yorkshire as Abbott once again took centre stage.
The South African took ten wickets in the match as Yorkshire were restricted to 159 and 272 from their two innings.
Hampshire went on to win by seven wickets with Organ (72) and Holland’s (71) leading the way in the second innings.
After a month-long break for the Royal London Cup, Hampshire returned to County Championship action in a rain affected thriller against Northamptonshire.
A win was needed to keep them in touching distance of Division One leaders Surrey and they started well.
Organ, Donald and Abbott made half centuries as Hampshire declared on 400/9 having secured maximum bonus points.
Both Northamptonshire innings were stop and start due to the weather but the hosts continued to take wickets, restricting them to 175 in the first.
As the match looked to be heading for the draw, especially with the threat of further downpour imminent, Hampshire took a flurry of late wickets before James Fuller castled Jack White giving them a dramatic victory by an innings and four runs.
Though defeats to Kent and Warwickshire ultimately saw the year end in disappointment, there was certainly plenty to be proud of from Hampshire as they finished third in Division One.
The best way to see the Hampshire squad in action in 2023 is with a Hampshire Cricket Membership.
Memberships for 2023 are now on sale, from £180 for a standard membership, whilst junior and young adult memberships start at £25.
A Hampshire Cricket Membership provides the chance to be part of the Hampshire family and incorporates a whole host of exciting benefits for 2023.
Members are at the heart of everything that happens at Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl, and the Club continuously look to improve the Membership offering.
