Ian Holland
Ian is right-hand middle order batsmen, lively fielder and a right-hand fast medium bowler. He was born in Wisconsin in the United States of America to a British father and an American mother, before vacating to Australia when he was a toddler.
Holland’s career is unique to most other cricketers. In 2012, Holland entered the Australian Reality Television show Cricket Superstar, which was ran by former Australian captain Allan Border. He successfully made it through his trial before edging out 14 other finalists on the show. His reward for by performing in front of a national audience was a rookie contract with Victoria.
The all-rounder has been playing Premier League cricket in Victoria since 2007, but his real breakthrough came after he landed his contract with his state side. Holland made his one and only appearance in the Sheffield Shield in February 2016, as Victoria beat Tasmania by seven wickets. He was part of a Victoria side that consisted of Australian internationals Cameron White, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and former Hampshire all-rounder Dan Christian.
Previous to that, Holland played club cricket in the Northern Premier League for Fleetwood Cricket Club from 2013-2016. After several impressive performances, he featured for Leicestershire’s 2nd XI in a game against Worcestershire in 2013, before meeting Dimitri Mascarenhas on his return to Melbourne. This led to Holland joining up with Hampshire’s 2nd XI in 2015. After a few season at that level, he got the opportunity to play in Hampshire’s County Championship clash against Warwickshire in June 2017, scoring 32 and taking a wicket in a convincing win for the hosts. Holland starred in the draw against Somerset later that month, taking 4-16 in the day/night round of fixtures.
Ian enjoyed a successful season with the first-team, scoring 234 runs in the middle-order at a respectable average of 26. The seamer was also useful with ball in hand, taking 19 wickets at an impressive 21.89. The all-rounder also made his one-day and T20 debuts in 2017, and will looking to be a regular in the Hampshire side in 2018.
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