Former Hampshire star Michael Bates will be playing in the Minor Counties Championship this season – after signing for Wiltshire.

Bates, 24, has been training with Essex since being controversially released by Hampshire at the end of last season. But no first-class county has found room in their squad for one of the country’s brightest wicketkeeping talents.

So county cricket’s loss is Wiltshire’s gain.

Bates will make his Wiltshire debut over the Easter weekend, in a pre-season friendly against either Frocester CC, Gloucestershire’s Second Eleven or Dorset.

He replaces Adam Miles, who has moved to New Zealand, as wicketkeeper of last year’s Minor Counties Championship runners-up and Minor Counties Trophy semi-finalists.

Wiltshire CCC manager Neil Shardlow said: “We’ve signed Michael for the season but he still wants to play cricket at first-class level and we’ll obviously support him in that should the opportunity arise, which I’m sure it will.

“It’s a shame no first-class county has taken him on so far but it’s worked out well for us, we’re thrilled to have him. He’s a brilliant keeper.”

Wiltshire begin their season against Wales Minor Counties in Newport on April 19.