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Take a look at the interesting journey the opening batsman took before gaining a professional contract
Oli Soames’s journey to becoming a professional is one particularly different to most.
Having risen through Hampshire’s academy ranks, at the age of just 18 Soames made the decision to pursue an education at Loughborough University.
After settling down at University Soames wanted to play cricket at the highest level he possibly could, something he had to be patient with in order to make a breakthrough.
“Ultimately, I wanted to play for the MCCU at Loughborough and didn’t quite get in during my first year, so I was just working away in the Leicestershire Premier League then my performances there got me into the MCCU as part of a winter squad.
“I think I only played a couple of games in my second year but the third year was different and I held down a place.”
The right hander carved out opportunities to play in the Second XI after graduation, in which a string of good performances earned him that lucrative professional deal.
“I think it sort of fell into place. When Jimmy (Jimmy Adams) retired I think the drive to recruit younger players were there, so it was a bit of fate mixed in with some consistent performances in the second team that have helped me for sure.”
The 24-year-old made a first-class impact during Hampshire’s four-day fixture against Nottinghamshire this season, successfully navigating a fierce spell from the likes of Stuart Broad and Jake Ball on his way to personal best of 62.
Since then, it’s been a struggle for Soames to gain any real momentum which resulted in him temporarily losing his position at the top of order.
“It’s been a learning curve for me this year, obviously being in this environment is completely new it’s just taking a bit longer than I first thought it would. I think there’s been contributions throughout the year in the first and second XI, I’ve just got to take the positives this year rather than the negatives and build. I’m excited for it.”
It was a positive end to the season for Soames, helping the Second XI secure County Championship victory at the The Ageas Bowl in September but he knows there is much to improve on, identifying the winter as a perfect opportunity to do that.
“This is a winter where I can really knuckle down, I’ve had that taste of first-class cricket and now I want more of it so I know what I have to work on if I’m going to be a more complete cricketer.
"Some of that involves making my scoring shots bread and butter, but I also want to be much fitter and stronger and I’m prepared to do that if I want to succeed.”
