Keith Barker is a left-arm bowler and left-hand batter.
He was born in Manchester, Lancashire and has represented Hampshire in red-ball cricket since joining the Club in 2018.
Barker, a former footballer who represented England at youth level, first made the move to play cricket in 2008, joining Warwickshire. The left-armer spent a decade with the Birmingham-based side, claiming 357 wickets at 25.51 and recording six First-Class centuries in that time.
He was a crucial component to their County Championship title triumph in 2012 – before moving to the south coast on a permanent deal at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
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The seamer took 38 County Championship wickets at an excellent average of just 26.34 in his first season at The Ageas Bowl, forming a deadly three-pronged seam attack alongside Kyle Abbott and Fidel Edwards in 2019.
Having played in all but one game that summer due to illness, he also contributed with the bat, adding 357 runs at an average of 25.50.
The COVID-19 pandemic combined with a minor injury caused Barker to feature in just two fixtures last season, adding seven wickets at 28.71.
Barker started 2021 out with injury but quickly made his mark for Hampshire. The left-armer made his season debut against Somerset at The Ageas Bowl, taking 4-67 from 24 overs.
The all-rounder dominated with the new ball, taking 41 wickets at an average of 18. He also took his career best figures of 7/46 against Nottinghamshire at The Ageas Bowl in quite an extrordinary performance.
Barker was named red ball bowler of the year at the end of season awards as well as being selected by his peers as the prestigious players player award thanks to his contributions with bat and ball. As well as this, the Lancastrian was around the squad during the One Day Cup as a mentor and coach for the young squad.
Hampshire’s fast bowling trio of Barker, Abbott and Abbas combined for over 150 wickets in the 2022 County Championship.
Barker was responsible for 52 of those, while also chipping in with 595 runs which earned him the Red Ball Bowler of the Year – along with Kyle Abbott – and Fans’ Player of the Year awards in 2022.
