Adam Wheater re-joins Essex on loan from Hampshire

Hampshire have allowed wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Wheater to make a one-month loan move to former club Essex.

Wheater is Hampshire's top scorer in Division One this season, and given the club are still battling against relegation, allowing him to move back to Chelmsford is a surprise.

Wheater has been playing as a specialist batsman, with Lewis McManus now first-choice keeper at the Ageas Bowl. 

The 26-year-old left Essex in March 2013 because he had fallen down the pecking order behind former England gloveman James Foster and Ben Foakes, who now plays for Surrey.

Wheater signed a three-year contract extension at Hampshire in 2014 but, having hit 802 runs at an average of 47.17 in 12 Division One games, he has returned to his first county for the final three matches of their promotion push to the top flight.

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: "Adam has performed well for us this season.

"However, given the lack of opportunity as wicketkeeper he would like to explore other options and has therefore decided to join Essex on loan for the remainder of this season."

Wheater, set to be behind 36-year-old Foster again, said: "I'm looking forward to joining up with the guys at Essex for the final few weeks of this year's four-day competition.

"This is a good opportunity for me to continue to grow as a player and I'm grateful to Hampshire and Essex for allowing me the chance to do so."