Hampshire Show Faith with Two Year Contract Extension
13.08.26, 19:24 Updated 13.08.26, 19:26
Rich Edwards
Hampshire have reaffirmed their faith in locally produced talent by offering a two-year contract extension to Tom Prest, the Hawk understands,
The former England under-19 skipper is a player the county have invested heavily in since he emerged from Hampshire's pathway programme.
Prest announced his arrival with a stunning innings of 303 for Hampshire's Second XI against Sussex while still an 18-year-old, and has long been earmarked as one of the country's leading young batters.
He is seen in some quarters as a potential future Hampshire captain.
Prest has struggled to live up to that early promise over the past two seasons.
But he has been a regular at three for Hampshire in the County Championship under Russell Domingo and struck an impressive century against Yorkshire in Hampshire's opening match in the Metro Bank One Day Cup last month.
The Dorset-born star has unquestionable pedigree.
He captained the England under-19 side that reached the World Cup final in 2022, playing alongside the likes of Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed and James Rew - three players who have all gone on to play Test cricket in the past four years.
Prest is yet to make that step.
But he's likely to play a full role with bat and ball as Domingo's men look to stave off the threat of relegation over the next six matches.
A new deal is a clear indication that Hampshire view him as an integral part of the county's future across both red and white ball cricket.
The Hawk understands that a number of other counties were potentially interested in prising Prest away from the Utilita.
But he now looks certain to commit his future to Hampshire.
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Rich Edwards is the founder and editor of The Hawk. Rich is a freelance cricket writer and lifelong Hampshire man. He has been published in a host of national publications, including The Times, The Cricketer and The Independent.
