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Hampshire all-rounder excited for next two years after contract extension
After arguably his best season in Hampshire colours, Keith Barker was rewarded with a contract extension which will see the left-armer remain at The Ageas Bowl until at least the end of 2023.
“It’s a great feeling, I felt I did pretty well (this year) and to be able to go again for another two years, I couldn’t have asked for anything more really.”
The 2021 season begun with Barker sidelined with injury before the 35-year-old made his season debut against Somerset at The Ageas Bowl in May, taking four wickets in Somerset’s first innings.
Another memorable effort came in the reverse fixture at Taunton as he took 6-72 from 24 overs.
And looking back on the 2021 season, Barker’s review was succinct;
“Almost. A season of almost, getting to Vitality Blast Finals Day and then we had to go again (against Lancashire) which was a cup final for us and to then be one wicket away from the Championship, it’s a shame we didn’t get across the line.”
2021’s LV= Insurance County Championship campaign was split into two stages – first a Group Stage and then a Divisional Stage. Hampshire secured a place in Division One on the Divisional Stage and with it a chance to contest the County Championship title.
It was in this Divisional Stage that Barker shone; taking 21 wickets from four fixtures, including a career best 7-46 against Nottinghamshire.
Overall, the left arm seamer bagged 41 wickets from ten matches at an average of just 18, and was recognised for his performances with the Red Ball Bowler and Players’ Player Awards at the Club’s End of Season Awards Dinner
When asked about his favourite memory from the summer, it was quite an easy decision for Barker;
“I’d say the career best of taking seven wickets, you never really feel something like that will come along, you just try to execute your plans as best you can and it was a nice feeling to perform when needed.”
Barker was not short of praise when it came to Hampshire’s bowling attack;
“It’s really good knowing you have two world-class bowlers in Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott and Whealy has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years and he stayed fit as well which I think was very important for him to feel more confident about himself.”
2022 will see Barker reunited with coach Graeme Welch, with the all-rounder singing the coach’s praises and is confident he will have a positive impact on the bowling unit;
“I think he (Welch) will add a lot to the bowlers, we have quite a lot of young bowlers coming through, Scott Currie, Harry Petrie, Josh Croom, John Turner. So I think he will get the best out of them.”
The best way to catch Keith and the rest of the Hampshire squad in action all year long in 2022 is with a Hampshire Cricket Membership.
2022 Members also receive access to an exclusive allocation of tickets for next summer’s otherwise sold-out Vitality IT20s at The Ageas Bowl with England facing both India and South Africa at the venue next summer, alongside a whole host of other exciting benefits.
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