Hampshire's 'Young Guns' Looking To Shine In The Royal London Cup

Hampshire’s player pathway and Academy system has given many young cricketers the opportunity to make the step up to the First XI over the years. This includes the likes of Club captain James Vince, Liam Dawson and Chris Wood – amongst others.

With a few senior players unavailable as a consequence of their involvement in The Hundred, some of the Club’s younger players are likely to be given the opportunity to impress in the upcoming Royal London Cup and we have taken a closer look at some of these players.

Tom Prest

DOB: 24/03/2003 (19-years-old)

Playing Role: Batting All-Rounder

Prest, who joined the Club’s pathway system from Dorset, has become one of the most promising prospects in the country.

After making appearances across all three formats in 2021, the all-rounder was selected as England captain for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year. His performances, which included an unbeaten 154 against the UAE in the Group Stage, helped take England all the way to the Final – where they were defeated by India. Prest was also named in the Team of the Tournament.

The 19-year-old has continued to impress this season, becoming a regular at three in the Hawks’ batting order for the 2022 Vitality Blast. He scored a total of 316 runs in the tournament striking at 122, with three half centuries, as the Hawks went on to become Vitality Blast champions. Prest’s best knock came in the Semi-Final as he hit a match winning 64 against Somerset.

Toby Albert

DOB: 12/11/2001 (20-years-old)

Playing Role: Top/Middle Order Batter

The right-handed batter from Berkshire joined Hampshire’s Academy after a few seasons playing in the Southern Premier Cricket League with Basingstoke and North Hants CC.

Albert made his First XI debut against Somerset in the 2021 Vitality Blast, before he was picked to open the batting in the Semi-Final against the same opposition. In 2022, he was once again given game time in the T20 competition.

After the Hawks had lost their opening four, Albert came in for the first ‘el clasicoast’ of the season and his introduction coincided with the team’s upturn in form. He played in nine matches and finished the competition with 83 runs, at an average of 27.66, from seven innings.

Scott Currie

DOB: 02/05/2001 (21-years-old)

Playing Role: Medium Fast Bowler

Currie, a tall seam-bowler, joined Hampshire at 16 years old during the winter trials after being picked up from Dorset and has made a handful of First XI appearances since.

Impressive performances for England Uner-19s in early 2020 saw him given a chance in the First XI during the behind-closed-doors 2020 season in both the County Championship and Vitality Blast campaigns. More opportunities followed in 2021, especially in T20s where he took 19 wickets in nine matches, including a career best 4-24 against Somerset. He also appeared in last year’s Royal London Cup.

The 21-year-old has made three appearances this year – all in the Vitality Blast.

John Turner

DOB: 10/04/2001 (19-years-old)

Playing Role: Medium Fast Bowler

Born in South Africa, Turner came through Hampshire’s pathway system, before impressing for the Second XI.

His First XI debut came in last year’s Royal London Cup where, during his six matches, he took a total of seven wickets – the first of which being none other than Sir Alastair Cook at The Ageas Bowl. Turner’s best innings in the competition came against Worcestershire where he recorded figures of 3-44.

A First-Class appearance was given to Turner earlier this year as a Sri Lanka Development XI were welcomed to The Ageas Bowl during their tour of England. He took a five-wicket haul in his first innings, while only conceding 31 runs.

Fletcha Middleton

DOB: 24/03/2003 (19-years-old)

Playing Role: Middle Order Batter

Son of Hampshire’s former player and current coach Tony Middleton, Fletcha has risen through the Club’s ranks at a rapid rate.

Last year saw the right hander make his maiden First XI appearance during the Royal London Cup match against Durham where he made 16 runs.

He too played in the First-Class contest against the Sri Lanka Development XI where he scored a well made 64.