ST CROSS Symondians talent Harry Came has signed a two-year professional contract with Hampshire – and not Kent for whom he rattled off a succession of 2nd XI centuries this summer.

The 20-year-old from Old Basing had offers from both counties, but chose his home county Hampshire, where he has come through the junior age group ranks, playing a key part in the Under-17s’ ECB County Championship victory three seasons ago, writes Mike Vimpany.

Came said: “It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, given that I played the majority of the season for Kent and they too had offered me a two-year contract.

“I cannot speak highly enough of all the team of players and coaches at Canterbury, but at the end of the day my dream has always been to play First Class cricket for Hampshire and hopefully sometime in the near future that dream will be fulfilled.”

Came has been in phenomenal form since coming down from Bradfield, winning the Southern Premier League’s Young Cricketer award in 2017 and playing a lead role in St Cross Symondians’ championship triumph this season.

He put himself firmly in the shop window with a series of hundreds for Kent in mid-summer and looked to be headed to Canterbury.

Instead he chose Hampshire, where he will begin training in November.

Kent head coach Matt Walker reflected: “Harry first came to us on a trial basis, having come up through the Hampshire ranks.

“He’s played in our 2nd XI for much of the year and scored a hell of a lot of runs for us, including four hundreds.

“He’s a very nicely organised played and a really good lad, who fitted in really well and has impressed everyone at the club, both with his attitude and his performances.”