Hampshire wicketkeeper Nic Pothas is to leave the club at the end of the 2011 season after nine years at The Rose Bowl.

His contract, which ran out at the end of the season, has not been renewed.

Having joined the club in 2002, Pothas has won three trophies and played in two Finals for Hampshire.

Pothas, currently in his benefit year, said; "Although I have no intention of retiring from cricket and am sad to be leaving Hampshire, when the time is right I’m sure I will continue to explore other options within cricket.

"I still have a number of events left for my benefit year with the club and hopefully I will enjoy the continued support of our loyal fans.

"In addition, I have a number of interests within the property market outside cricket, as anyone who knows me will testify, and I will continue to explore these while I consider my options.

"I would like to thank all the fans and supporters who I’ve had the privilege to meet and entertain over the last nine years. Their support has been both generous and invaluable and for that I am eternally grateful.

"Finally, thank you to Hampshire Cricket for this fantastic opportunity over the last nine years.

"The club will always be much greater than any individual and I wish them all the best for the future."

Manager Giles White said: "Nic’s record speaks for itself. He has been a big part of this club for a long time and has enjoyed fantastic success. We wish him all the best in whatever route he chooses for the future."

Pothas started his career at South African side, Transvaal in 1993 and played for the national side in a One Day International series against Pakistan in 2000.

Since coming to Hampshire he has registered the highest batting average of any wicket-keeper in the club’s history and still holds the wicketkeeping record for the highest number of dismissals by any Hampshire player in an innings - seven against Lancashire batsmen at Old Trafford in 2007.

He also shares a record with Andy Bichel for the highest eighth wicket partnership ever recorded for Hampshire when they put on 257 against Gloucestershire at Bristol in 2005.

Pothas has captained the club on several occasions including, most recently, in the front half of the 2010 season – a year which ended in Hampshire winning the Friends Provident t20 competition. 2011 was Pothas’ benefit year.

In all – even excluding t20 – Pothas has scored over 10,000 competitive runs and claimed more than 500 competitive dismissals in his Hampshire career.

Hampshire Chairman Rod Bransgrove said: "The club would like to thank Nic for all his service over the years.

"Not only has he been a fantastic wicketkeeper, he’s also been one of our most consistent batsmen which has provided the team with great balance over a number of years.

"Off the field he has always been a wonderful ambassador for the club and his work with young cricketers in the county has been exceptional. We wish him all the best in the future."