Hampshire sign ex-England batter Stoneman

Mark Stoneman has signed a one-year red-ball deal at Hampshire

Hampshire have signed ex-England batter Mark Stoneman on a one-year deal.

The left-handed opener has signed a red-ball contract at the Utilita Bowl and will join up with the side before the 2025 season gets under way.

The 37-year-old played 11 Tests for England between August 2017 and May 2018, scoring five half-centuries, and most recently played county cricket for Middlesex.

"I'm very much looking forward to joining Hampshire for the upcoming season," Stoneman said.

"I know how hungry the club is to get their hands on the championship having been so close for the last few years.

"There's a fantastic group of players and coaches who I look forward to joining up with, and hopefully we can get our hands on that red-ball title come September."

Hampshire finished second in Division One last summer which was their best result since 2005, when they were also runners-up.

They will get their County Championship campaign under way in early April when they take on newly promoted Yorkshire at home.

Stoneman a "good bit of business" - analysis

BBC Radio Solent's Hampshire commentator Kevan James

Signing Stoneman represents a good bit of business by Hampshire as they look to fill the void left by James Vince's decision not to play in the championship.

The 37-year-old averages 34 in first-class cricket and crucially, despite his age, shows little sign of letting up.

His most recent three-and-a-bit-year stint at Middlesex saw him average just above that figure at 36.

Where will he bat though? Ali Orr was signed from Sussex and started as Fletcha Middleton's opening partner last season until he was injured in mid-May and missed the rest of the summer.

Or could Stoneman be persuaded to bat in an unfamiliar role in the middle order, at number four? That's the position Vince has vacated.