Adam Wheater re-joins Essex on two-year deal from Hampshire
Friday 9 September 2016 15:46, UK
Essex have re-signed wicket-keeper batsman Adam Wheater from Hampshire on a two-year deal.
Wheater joined Hampshire from Essex in March 2011 after struggling to break into the first team, with James Foster and Ben Foakes the Chelmsford club's preferred options behind the stumps.
This season he has been displaced as Hampshire keeper by Lewis McManus, though he has been playing as a specialist batsman - with some success.
He has scored 802 runs in Division One with an average of 47, but at the end of last month he returned to Essex on loan to help them secure promotion to the top flight.
That deal has now been made permanent.
Wheater said: "It's great to be back at Essex, where I started my career. I'd like to thank Hampshire for their understanding of moving to Essex and wish them every success in the future."
Essex head coach Chris Silverwood told the club's website: "To be able to bring Adam back to the club on a permanent basis is brilliant for us.
"He comes into the squad with Division One experience, which is exactly what we need should we get promoted."
