BENNY Howell insisted “I learnt a great amount” at Hampshire after rejoining the club for the 2023 season, on a three-year white-ball deal from Gloucestershire.

The all-rounder started his career with Hampshire, making 27 appearances across all formats, and is now returning to the club after spending a decade with Gloucestershire.

Since leaving The Ageas Bowl in 2012, Howell has become one of the finest all-rounders in the country, especially in the limited-over formats.

He played a key part in Gloucestershire’s Royal London One-Day Cup triumph in 2015, taking 15 wickets in the competition.

Following the completion of his return, Howell said: “Hampshire is the place where I learnt a great amount during my early career.

“It was always an elite environment so I’m extremely excited to rejoin the club after ten years away and hopefully I can help the side compete for more trophies in the future.”

Giles White, Hampshire director of cricket added: “Benny is recognised as one of the best T20 all-rounders in England and it’s great that he wants to finish his career where it began.

“He adds great depth to our squad and improves both our batting and bowling resources. It will be great to have him back with the group and we are all looking forward to seeing him perform in a Hawks shirt again next season.”

In the truncated 2020 season, Howell helped his side to their first Vitality Blast Finals Day since 2007 – with 96 runs and seven wickets from his five games, as well as a man of the match performance against Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the quarter-final (3-16).

Howell starred for Gloucestershire again in 2021’s Vitality Blast, taking 15 wickets, and was impressive again in this summer’s T20 competition with 11 wickets and 156 runs, at a strike rate of 179.

The 33-year-old has also played in a number of franchise leagues around the world including the IPL, the PSL and The Hundred, where he plays for Birmingham Phoenix.

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