Jimmy Adams leaves Hampshire for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes lead batting coach role

A 25-year chapter at Hampshire has come to an end for Jimmy Adams, who has been confirmed as lead batting coach for Cricket Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes. Hampshire announced his exit on October 9, 2026, with Cricket Tasmania following up with a formal confirmation of his appointment on October 10, 2026.

Adams, 46, will take on a full-time brief that spans both the state and franchise setups in Tasmania. According to the Cricket Tasmania announcement, he will lead the development and delivery of batting programmes across both teams, working closely with players and coaches across all formats.

"I've been lucky enough to fulfil a dream, and I'll be following Hampshire for the rest of my life. I'm going to an exciting, new challenge, but I don't see it as an end, and I'll be following Hampshire and wishing the guys well. It's been a tough decision to leave, but I think the timing's right, and it gives me a chance to test myself elsewhere," said Adams as quoted by Cricinfo.

"I want to give a big thank you to everyone for their support over the years, especially Giles [White, director of cricket] and the coaches and players I've had the privilege of working with, and I'll be coming back to support the team and see everyone in the not too distant future," he added.

His connection with Hampshire stretches back across multiple roles. He captained the county from 2012 to 2015, retired from playing in 2018 and then moved into the coaching structure, beginning as second-team coach before progressing to the batting coach position. In 2025, he stepped up as interim head coach for the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, guiding Hampshire to the final.

Wasim Jaffer's blunt take on Jaiswal's wicketkeeping move

Read More

Wasim Jaffer's blunt take on Jaiswal's wicketkeeping move

Why did Adams move to Tasmania?

The appointment is not entirely a fresh start for Adams. He had been working with Hobart Hurricanes in a part-time capacity across the two most recent Big Bash League seasons, serving as an assistant coach. The full-time lead batting coach role in Tasmania is a direct progression from that existing involvement rather than a departure into unfamiliar territory.

Hampshire's 2026 County Championship campaign added context to the timing of his exit. The county finished bottom of Division One and were relegated, with only three batters, Jake Lehmann, Nick Gubbins and Ben Brown, reaching 500 Championship runs across the season. Hampshire did reach the T20 Blast final, though they were beaten on the day.

"We're sad to see Jimmy Adams leave, but delighted for him and the Adams family as they embark on an exciting new opportunity in Australia with Tasmania. A fantastic player, captain and coach for the club over 25 years, Jimmy has embodied our values throughout his time here. His incredible work ethic and selfless approach have been evident in every role he has undertaken, and he will be greatly missed. We wish Jimmy and the Adams family every success and happiness and look forward to welcoming him back in the future," said White.

What does Hampshire's coaching setup look like after his departure?

Adams's exit creates a clear vacancy in Hampshire's batting coaching structure at a significant moment. The county will compete in Division Two of the County Championship in 2027 and will need to rebuild their coaching staff ahead of that campaign.

The broader county coaching landscape is also shifting this off-season. Jim Troughton has returned to Warwickshire following five seasons at Surrey, reflecting wider movement among coaching appointments across the English game. Grant Flower's expected move from Sussex to Surrey remains unresolved and has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing.

Hampshire have not yet announced a replacement for Adams, and no timeline for that appointment has been made public.