FORMER Hampshire wicketkeeper Adi Aymes is to play for his old club Hursley Park in the ECB Southern Premier League next summer.

The 38-year-old parted company with Hampshire by mutual consent recently after 17 years of loyal service.

Knee problems had restricted the Southampton-born star to just five appearances last summer.

Aymes, pictured, had previously played for Hursley Park since the age of 11 and was even in the team which competed at Lord's in 1984 in the final of the National Village Championship.

His outstanding wicket-keeping and resolute batting prompted Hampshire to sign him in 1986.

Aymes has always remained a member of the Hursley club and is delighted to be returning home, saying he wants to enjoy playing on one of the finest club grounds in Hampshire.

"I owe them a lot for starting my career and always intended to go back when my professional days were over," he said.

Hursley chairman Alan Jones welcomed Aymes' return, saying: "We're delighted to have Adi back with us. His ability and sheer enthusiasm for the game will give everyone at the club a boost."

Aymes left Hampshire with an outstanding first-class record.

He claimed 516 catches, 44 stumpings and scored 7,338 runs with eight hundreds and 38 half-centuries.

In the limited-overs games, he took 215 catches, 53 stumpings and notched up 2,269 runs with six 50s.

He played for Hampshire in the winning 1992 NatWest final at Lord's and missed another one-day final through a last-minute injury.

Many feel he was unlucky not to have received international honours.

Aymes is already heavily involved in the local sporting scene as co-manager of Dr Martens Eastern Division football side Fleet Town with ex-Saint Mark Dennis.