Balcombe sticks with Hants

Hampshire have handed a new contract to seam bowler David Balcombe.

Seamer spent much of last season on loan at Kent

Hampshire have handed a new contract to David Balcombe, despite the seam bowler not playing a senior game for them last season. Balcombe, who turns 27 on Christmas Eve, has earned the deal on the back of a successful loan spell at Kent in 2011. He picked up 33 wickets in five matches, including two five-wicket and two six-wicket hauls, at an average of 17.81. Balcombe also took 4-38 in the Spitfires' Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over Worcestershire at New Road. "It's brilliant," he said of the new contract. "Last season I went on loan to Kent for the final two months of the season and it really gave me a fantastic opportunity to show my capabilities and kick-start my career. "To make this commitment to Hampshire for the next three years is absolutely fantastic, the way the squad is evolving. "It's a young squad, full of talent, and I think we're going to be doing good things this year."