Derek Kenway Photo Mike Atkelsky

Hampshire opening batsman Derek Kenway has shocked the county by handing in a written request to be released from his contract, it has been announced.

24 year old Fareham-born Kenway, who was in the England National Academy last winter, has had a disappointing season, losing his place in the first XI in July after a poor run of form which yielded 238 runs from 15 innings in first-class matches.

The club have reluctantly agreed to Kenway's request and Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett said, "the county are sorry to lose a player of Derek's potential, but we don't want to keep an unhappy player."

The 24-year-old has scored 3,050 runs in 62 first-class matches since making his debut in 1997 and has hit 1,764 runs in limited-overs cricket, where he had been used as a wicketkeeper/batsman.

But the introduction of Nic Pothas put paid to that role, and Kenway is sure to be looking to another county to further his young career in the game.

Hampshire are to announce details of any other players who are to be released from the staff in the early part of next week.

© Hampshire Cricket