ADIE AYMES' hopes and dreams of one last hurrah at Lord's look to be disappearing fast.

Aymes (left) has been left out of Hampshire's squad for tomorrow's C&G Cup trek to Durham as the county continue with their policy of transfusing younger blood into their one-day side.

But Hampshire skipper Robin Smith insists Aymes has a key role in a "Team Hampshire" in which he will continue to be an important cog in the county championship team.

Aymes played in Hampshire's ill-fated Benson & Hedges Cup campaign this season, after which the club made their decision to go with a different, younger side in limited overs cricket, a policy that has paid off so far as Hampshire have climbed into contention in the Noriwch Union National League Division Two promotion race.

But as Hampshire take the first step on what they hope could be the road to Lord's in the re-named former NatWest Trophy, Aymes is not scheduled to be part of the journey.

Smith said: "We have now got a squad of 14 players we use for limited overs and championship matches.

"It's always difficult when you decide there's a difference between the two teams but we decided on this policy of playing the younger players.

"Adie has not been involved in the National League and it's sad that he's not involved but I hope he sees the reasons why, and accepts that they are the right reasons, to give opportunities to the younger players.

"Contracts are coming up at the ed of the season and if younger players don't get the chance to play we won't know if they're good enough."

Aymes has a NatWest Trophy winner's medal to his name as part of Hampshire victorious 1991 team, but missed out through injury the following season when they won the B&H Cup.

The veteran Hampshire stumper, 37 earlier this month, is still an integral part of Hampshire's championship campaign and his wicket-keeping skills are still as sharp as ever.

But Hampshire's use of Derek Kenway behind the timber gives them room to manoeuvre with either another batsman or another bowler.

A door could open for Aymes after Kenway dislocated a finger in Sunday's NUNL win over Durham, but it popped back in and Kenway expects to be fit.