Hampshire 2026 One Day Cup Preview

Written by Rich Edwards (The Hawk)

2025 Review:

League Position: 2nd in Group A & Runners-up

Top Runscorer: Nick Gubbins - 707 runs

Top Bowler: Andrew Neal - 14 wickets

Top Points Scorer: Nick Gubbins - 1368 points

Hampshire were fortunate enough to call on some of the country’s most talented youngsters for last season’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, including England under-19 stars, Ben Mayes and Manny Lumsden, both of whom made their competitive debuts for the county in the competition. They also had a formidable opening pair in the form of Nick Gubbins – who finished as the tournament’s leading runscorer – and Ali Orr, who smashed 110 in the final against Worcestershire.  

Hampshire lost that match at Trent Bridge by three wickets in agonising fashion but as a career launchpad it more than served its purpose. Both Mayes and Lumsden went on to shine for England in the Under-19 World Cup this winter, while Eddie Jack has since combined Hampshire appearances with impressive displays for the England Lions.  

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Hampshire 2026 One Day Cup Preview - Fantasy Cricket Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun

Hampshire are lucky to be able to call on most of their regular batters for this summer’s Metro Bank, but could find themselves hamstrung when it comes to their bowling. Scott Currie, Eddie Jack and Manny Lumsden – not to mention the centrally contracted Liam Dawson and Sonny Baker – will all be unavailable for the majority of the competition as a result of their Hundred call-ups.  

Expect debuts for the likes of Ollie Williams, a Second XI regular this season. Spinner Andrew Neal, who made his breakthrough in last year’s competition, will have to shoulder greater responsibility and the batters – most notably Tom Prest - will also have to get through their fair share of overs.   

Banker: Nick Gubbins

Look no further than Gubbins. Hampshire skipper for last year’s tournament, the left-hander smashed 707 runs at an average of 88.37 and a strike-rate well above 100 last time out. Remarkably, he hit 144 on two separate occasions in the group stage, setting a new List A top score. He has been consistent in a side that has struggled in the County Championship without kicking on to a really sizeable score in the first eight matches of the Division One season. But he loves this tournament and enjoys opening with Orr, who was similarly prolific in 2025.  

Wildcard: Joe Weatherley

Joe Weatherley has emerged as one of Hampshire’s most destructive batters in T20 cricket in recent seasons and was unlucky to get injured in the early stages of last year’s Metro Bank. Capable of batting anywhere in the top six, Weatherley’s experience and hitting will be crucial if Hampshire are to repeat their 50 over heroics of 2025. Unlucky to miss out on a Hundred call-up, he’ll be keen to show the competition’s franchises what they’re missing out on.  

Young Gun:  Manny Lumsden

Lumsden made his debut in last season’s competition, and although he has been picked up as a wildcard in the Hundred, the fact he’s playing for the Southern Brave might make it more likely that he’ll be given some Metro Bank run-outs if he can’t break into the Hundred starting XI. Capable of bowling at speeds approaching 90mph, the 17-year-old boasts a cool head and an enviable box of white ball tricks. 

Hampshire One Day Cup Squad

Hampshire One Day Cup Squad

Potential Starting XI:

1. Nick Gubbins (c)

2. Ali Orr

3. Tom Prest

4. Jake Lehmann

5. Joe Weatherley

6. Fletcha Middleton 

7. Toby Albert (wk)

8. Felix Organ

9. Andrew Neal

10. Brad Wheal

11. Kyle Abbott