Hampshire Cricket have announced that Graeme Welch is set to join the club at the start of 2022 as bowling lead coach.

A four-time winner of the County Championship – with two wins apiece as a player (1994 & 1995) and bowling coach (2012 & 2021) - the former medium pacer also has experience within England’s coaching setup and has previously held roles at Essex, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Alongside working with the bowling group of the senior squad, Welch will oversee the development of all the Hampshire bowlers throughout the age-group system.

Outside of county cricket, Welch tasted success as part of the coaching staff of the Southern Brave's men – winning the inaugural season of The Hundred.

Welch shared his excitement of working at the Ageas Bowl again, saying: "It is a really exciting move as I had a great experience with Southern Brave in The Hundred this year and was very impressed with the facilities at the Ageas Bowl and the staff.

“I am looking forward to working with Adi Birrell, Giles White, James Vince and also with Keith Barker again. It is a talented and experienced squad which came so close to winning two trophies last year and it is a new chapter for me which I am really looking forward to."

Director of Cricket Giles White said: “Graeme is a highly respected coach and we’re delighted he has agreed to join the Club. This appointment is part of our strategic plan for the future of our coaching structure and Graeme will play a key role in the development of our bowlers at all levels.”