Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams is set to return to his St Cross Symondians roots tomorrow – a little more than 12 hours after captaining the Royals in tonight’s FriendsLife t20 clash with Sussex at Hove.

Ironically, Adams plays against the Hampshire Academy, where his own professional career began ten years ago, writes mike vimpany.

“I grew up as a schoolboy at St Cross and it’s always nice to go back and play for them when I get the chance and particularly tomorrow as the game is on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground,” he said.

Adams is eyeing the opportunity to spend some time in the middle in readiness for next week’s LV= County Championship match against Glamorgan at Cardiff.

“It will be nice to get some runs under my belt and help St Cross Symondians, who are struggling a bit just now. I watched them lose at Alton last week and a lot of them are low on confidence,” he continued.

The Hampshire captain is also keen to face some of the county’s aspiring youngsters in a competitive match environment.

“I know quite a few of the academy lads anyway, but it will be good to face them in match conditions and I know they’ll be up for it when I’m at the crease. It will add a touch of spice to the occasion,” he laughed.

“There are some very promising young lads in that side and it will be fascinating to see how they go.”

Adams hasn’t played for St Cross since 2011, but he did make 124 for them against the Academy in 2008.

St Cross Symondians desperately need Adams to fire with the bat as they have lost six of their last seven Southern Electric Premier League matches and lie secondfrom the bottom of the table.

Last week at Alton they collapsed, losing their last six wickets for only seven runs.

The Academy, in contrast, have claimed some notable scalps this season, beating Havant and Ventnor.

Academy: Porter, McManus, Weathgerley, Marriott, Green, Aslop, King, Crane, Taylor, Barber, Murray.

St Cross Symondians: Logan, Adair, Adams Essen, Finney, Green, Perry-Lewis, Prittipaul, Rouse, Taylor, Walsh.

Bashley (Rydal) make a late choice from a squad of 12 players for the visit to Havant, whom they beat in a thriller on the opening day of the season.

Bashley (Rydal): Thurgood, Terry, Webb, Higgins, Morris, Watkins, Baker, Ridley, Friedman, Neal, Grierson, Nash.