Adrian Aymes, Hampshire's long-serving wicketkeeper-batsman, has left the County by mutual agreement a year before his contract expired.

He had spent 17 years with Hampshire, but a knee problem restricted the Southampton-born 38 year-old to just five appearances last season.

Adi in action Photo Paul mcGregor

"I have enjoyed every day of being a professional cricketer since Hampshire gave me my chance back in 1986," says Aymes.

"I want to thank all the supporters for their continued backing for me and the County over the years. I rate them as the most loyal and knowledgeable set of supporters in the country.

"I have been very fortunate to have played with some great players and made many good friends in the game and I thank them all for the inspiration they have given me.

"From the Chef up to the Chairman I would like to thank everyone at Hampshire for their support and I wish the County all the very best in the future."

Hampshire's Chairman, Rod Bransgrove, added: "It is almost impossible to imagine Hampshire Cricket without Adi Aymes, such has been his presence over the last decade and a half. He leaves with the very best wishes of everyone at the Club and enormous gratitude for his long and dedicated service."

Hampshire's Director of Cricket, Tim Tremlett, is full of praise for the player who joined the county in 1986, made his debut the following year and was awarded a benefit in 2000.

"Despite offers to go elsewhere earlier in his career, Adi only ever wanted to play for his home county," he says. "He has been a very loyal servant and a model professional.

"For years Adi has been one of the best and most consistent wicketkeepers in England and was unlucky not to win international honours.

"As a batsman, Adi always relished a challenge. He was brave, valued his wicket and on countless occasions rescued the team from precarious positions ."

In first-class cricket, Aymes claimed 516 catches and 44 stumpings and scored 7338 runs with eight hundreds and 38 half-centuries.

In the limited-overs game his figures were 215 catches and 53 stumpings, plus 2269 runs with six 50s.

He played for Hampshire in the winning 1991 NatWest Final at Lord's and missed another one-day Final through a last-minute injury.

ENDS.

© Hampshire Cricket