Hampshire have awarded all-rounder Sean Ervine a Benefit Year in 2016.

After arriving at Hampshire from Zimbabwe ahead of the 2005 season, Ervine made his debut in April of that year and has gone on to make over 400 appearances for the club in all formats. In that time, the 32-year old has scored almost 13,000 runs and taken over 350 wickets to play a huge part in the club’s recent success.

“It’s a huge honour to be awarded a benefit by Hampshire in 2016,” Ervine said. “Arriving back in March 2005 with not much knowledge of county cricket, it never crossed my mind I’d ever get to have one. I may not have come up through the age group ranks but I’ve made some great friendships along the way and having been here since I was 22 - I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment I’ve experienced both on and off the field.

“When you play for a club like Hampshire you feel part of a family away from your family, it’s a winning culture and we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a lot of successful periods where we’ve won trophies,” Ervine added. “This club has always had huge potential, and I’m proud to have been part of the successes of the last 11 seasons, long may it continue. I’m extremely excited about next year, it’s going to come with many challenges which I’m looking forward to and I’m grateful for the support and backing of the club and the fans.”

In 2005, Ervine scored centuries in the semi-final and final of the successful C&G Trophy and won further limited-overs trophies with Hampshire in 2009, 2010 & 2012. In 2014, Ervine became the first Hampshire player ever to make 100 T20 appearances and in the same year, he played a key role in the club’s LV= County Championship Division Two title win.

Hampshire Cricket Chairman, Rod Bransgrove said: “Sean has been an outstanding contributor to Hampshire Cricket over the past 11 seasons and has established himself as a First Team regular in all forms of cricket. He has been a major influence in our successful One Day and t20 campaigns leading from the front in his first year with Hampshire in the C & G Final against Warwickshire, where his fine century helped secure both a victory and the Man of the Match Award.

“He has also been a regular contributor with both bat and ball in the long form of the game and is a huge favourite amongst our members and supporters. I am delighted that the Hampshire Cricket Members’ Club have nominated him for a Benefit Year in 2016 and equally happy that the Club has granted this.

“I’m sure all friends of Hampshire will be delighted to support this most deserving benefit and we all wish Sean, Rachel, Scarlett and Ellis a most enjoyable and rewarding year.”

(Photo Credit: LMI Photography)