JAMES HAMBLIN decided to leave Hampshire three weeks before his departure was confirmed.

All-rounder Hamblin, pictured above, joins former vice-captain Will Kendall as the only out of contract players to have left Hampshire this year.

Both made the decision to retire, while Lawrie Prittipaul was offered a one-year contract after the club's annual hire and fire meeting.

Hamblin, who made his Hampshire debut in 2001, revealed that he told the county of his decision after the last totesport National League game of the season, the five-wicket win against Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl.

That was one of the 26-year-old's six National League appearances this season, but he had not played in the championship since producing career-best performances with bat and ball a year ago at Derby.

In the last game of last season, he scored 96 and took 6 for 53 in his 11th and final first-class appearance.

He said: "I decided in my own mind that I would be leaving and told Paul Terry after the last one-day game. It was a gradual process, but in the end it wasn't too difficult a decision, and one I was happy to make because I didn't see myself playing much cricket next year.

"It's been a really frustrating season as the side has done so well in the four-day game, which has meant I haven't had much of an opportunity. I'll always feel that I could have had more, especially as I haven't played since getting 96 and six wickets at Derby.

"But, with the players that are at the club and the players that might be signed in the future, I just couldn't see myself getting any more chances."

Hamblin leaves Hampshire with 440 first-class runs at 27.50, and 14 wickets at 51.64, but he was most effective as a one-day player, usually as a pinch-hitter who could also bowl a few overs.

In 48 one-day matches, he scored 656 runs at 16.82 and took 28 wickets. But the highlight of his Hampshire career was when he won the man-of-the-match award for his performance against Sussex in the first ever Twenty20 match, a Sky-televised five-run win 15 months ago.

Hamblin, who hit a 27-ball 34 that day, admitted: "That was probably the highlight of my career, along with last season's game at Derby. Overall my time with Hampshire was second to none.

"I certainly don't regret anything and it's been a great opportunity for me to have played. It's been an exciting time for me and the club."

Kent-born Hamblin plans to play in the Sussex County League for Eastbourne CC next season but will not start to think about a new career until he returns from a two-week holiday in Florida with flatmate Dimitri Mascarenhas and the duo's respective girlfriends, which began today.

He added: "To be honest, I'm not sure what I'll do. I haven't sorted anything out but there are a few things that could work out so I'll bide my time and see what comes up.

"But I think that'll be it in terms of professional cricket."

Hampshire manager Paul Terry said: "Hambo's attitude was always spot on and he was a tremendous bloke to have around the dressing room but unfortunately he didn't kick on this year and other players have overtaken him."