Tom Alsop: Ready For The Challenge

Off the back of a convincing year with bat and gloves, Tom Alsop is ready to tackle a new season.

The 24-year-old scored nearly 700 first-class runs in all competitions despite missing nine weeks of the season due to a hamstring tear.

Although his injury forced him to miss a considerable amount of the campaign, Alsop managed to register three hundred’s in 2019, a return that he was more than satisfied with.

“Taking out the injury, I think it was a good season. I scored more hundreds than I have in a season and kept for the vast majority of it which I haven’t really done much of before, it’s just a shame the injury happened when it did.”

Alsop’s injury occurred at Taunton during Hampshire’s County Championship clash with Somerset in June, and after a lengthy spell on the side-lines, he was eventually declared fit for the final run-in of Championship fixtures in September.

As frustrating as it ever is to pick up an injury, Alsop’s road back to full fitness was a pretty simple one.

“The diagnosis of the injury was pretty quick; it was quite refreshing to find out so soon. The medical team were great, I had to start building back the strength in the muscle and once it was at a certain level I could get back into running.”

The left-hander’s injury forced him to miss the entire Vitality Blast campaign, or ‘party season’ as the players like to call it, something Alsop particularly struggled with.

“It was strange not being involved, you’re obviously still part of the setup but it always feels like you’re distanced from the rest of the lads. You see all of the guys going out together, all the banter on and off the pitch you just want to be a part of it all the time.”

There was one positive, however, that Alsop recognised during his time out of the side.

“The support we had here has been fantastic both on and off the pitch, one thing I noticed when I was out injured was the amount of members that took the time to ask me how my injury is faring, it was a lovely touch and something that I won’t forget. Hopefully I’ll be repaying their well wishes and support next season with plenty of runs and a high standard of glovework!”

The Buckinghamshire born man has his sights set on more silverware next season but in the longer format of the game.

“Of course it would be amazing to be part of a strong One-Day campaign again, for the past two years we’ve had two finals but it would be great to do something special in championship cricket. There’s a really good feeling around the group, I feel like we’re in a really good position to push on next year not only with the squad we’ve already, but the players we’ve signed too!”

Selflessly, he only has one personal goal in his mind heading into a new season too.

“The more games I can win for this club the better, personal milestones are great but there’s no better feeling than to know you’ve contributed to a win for Hampshire.”

The best way to catch Tom and the rest of the Hampshire squad in action all season long next season is with a 2020 Hampshire Cricket Membership and there’s never been a better time to join or renew.

More information on each Membership offering can be found online via the link above, over the phone on 0844 847 1863 or in person at the The Ageas Bowl Ticket Office (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm).