Tom Prest signs professional terms with Hampshire

The 18-year-old allrounder made his debut in all three formats for the club in 2021, scoring 261 runs and taking two wickets

Tom Prest has been awarded his first professional contract with Hampshire, committing his future to the club until at least the end of the 2024 season.

The 18-year-old allrounder made his debut in all three formats in 2021, most notably scoring a half-century against Gloucestershire in the T20 Blast in July in just his third senior appearance.

Prest went on to score 135 runs in seven Blast appearances last season and made a further seven in the Royal London Cup, scoring 108 runs and taking two wickets. He made his County Championship debut against Surrey in July and scored 18 runs in two red-ball appearances.

The teenager also featured regularly for the second XI last season as well as representing England Under-19s against West Indies in September.

^{Tom Prest batting in the Royal London Cup}

Commenting on signing professional terms with Hampshire, Prest said: "It’s something I always dreamed of growing up. It’s a really exciting time at Hampshire right now and it makes it an extra special feeling to sign a contract for your home club.

"Charlie [Freeston], Tony [Middleton] and Jimmy [Adams] have been pivotal in my development and I’m just really grateful for all they’ve done. To gain some first-team experience this season has been valuable and it was really pleasing to put in a couple of good performances in the Vitality Blast. Hopefully over time I can become more consistent at that level and contribute in all formats."

Director of cricket, Giles White, added: "Tom is a talented all-rounder and he will be hoping to build on a promising start to push for a place across all formats. He’s impressed everyone in a short space of time and if he’s able to continue to develop he has an exciting future ahead of him."

County cricket ins and outs 2022: Signings, transfers, squad updates

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