Hampshire giant Jimmy Adams to retire at end of 2018 season

Hampshire batsman Jimmy Adams is set to hang up his boots at the end of the current season and his retirement will bring to conclusion a glorious career that spanned over a period of 16 years. Adams, 37, has performed well for the county both as a player and captain and represented it in over 450 matches.

Nicknamed Bison, the 6-foot-plus left-handed player has scored 14,022 runs in 229 matches at an average of 37.59 and has slammed 25 tons and 73 fifties. In 123 List A games, Adams has scored over 4,000 runs at an average of 39.52 with two hundreds and 30 fifties. He has also played in 135 T20s in which he scored 2,643 runs at an average of 24.02. He has hit two tons in T20s with the best being 101 not out. He has also taken 13 first-class wickets and one List A wicket.

Never thought of representing Hampshire over 16 years

“When I first grew up watching the game as a youngster, I had hopes and aspirations to play for Hampshire, but I never thought I would end up having the honour of representing this wonderful Club for the last 16 years,” Adams was quoted as saying by a report in ageasbowl.com.

“I have made great friendships and shared some fantastic experiences in that time and I’m immensely proud of what the Club has accomplished, but I feel the time is right to hang up my boots at the end of the year and allow others the opportunity for success,” Adams, who still has a few games to play before the season concludes, said.

Giles White, the former English cricketer and currently Hampshire’s director of cricket, praised Adams as a “whole hearted and selfless cricketer” who exerted influence both on the ground and off it. He said Adams’ career has not been only about runs and trophies but also the way he approached the game. He called Adams a “genuine team player” and cited it as the reason why he was respected by all – fans, players and coaches.

Adams was a part of the team which has won one-day tournaments in 2005, 2009 and 2012 besides playing key roles to winning two T20 titles in 2010 and 2012. He also led the Hants to the County Championship Division Two title in 2014 whereby his team was promoted to the first-class top tier and they have remained there ever since.

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