At the club's Annual General Meeting last week, Tim Tremlett, Hampshire's Director of Cricket addressed members on the activities of the teams players during the winter months.

All players who were offered contracts at the end of the 2001 season, or who were already under contract have now agreed terms for the new season.

Neil Johnson has signed a further one-year contract as our Overseas player.

You may have read in the press or on this web site, that Nic Pothas who is presently the overseas player for Gauteng in South Africa has signed a two year contract with the club.

A batsman/wicket-keeper, Nic comes highly recommended by Jimmy Cook. He has represented South Africa three times in one-day internationals but qualifies as a non-overseas player as he has a Greek passport.

The vast majority of the playing staff are spending the winter abroad.

Iain Brunnschweiler, James Hamblin, James Schofield and Irfan Shah are all in Perth under the guidance of Paul Terry.

Also based in Perth are Dimitri Mascarenhas, who is recovering from an ankle operation and Alan Mullally. Both are in full training.

Lawrence Prittipaul is now in South Africa. Based in Johannesburg, Laurie will be practicing and training under the watchful eye of Jimmy Cook.

Derek Kenway and Chris Tremlett are based in Adelaide with the England National Academy. They were introduced to an intensive and strict fitness regime before Christmas and have now embarked on a tour of Australia playing mainly against State 2nd XIs.

Will Kendall, who was recently reappointed Hampshire's vice-captain is to lead an MCC touring party to Kenya in late February and will be joined on the trip by Giles White.

We currently have five of our contracted players at University. Charlie van der Gucht, who is making steady progress following his accident, John Francis, James Adams, Chris Benham and James Tomlinson.

With the exception of Charlie, along with the other players who have remained in this country, they have been training and practising hard during the holiday period under the watchful eye of Tony Middleton.

Tony has also supervised the five students we have in our Academy and assisted Raj Maru who is now responsible for the organisation of our School of Excellence, which is held in our new and very impressive Indoor School.

© HANTS CCC