Tom Prest is a right-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner
He was born in Wimborne, Dorset and is a product of Hampshire’s highly successful youth system.
Having represented Hampshire’s age-group sides, Prest was given his Second XI debut in 2019 and he was pushed into the spotlight just two years later, after recording a magical triple century against Sussex in the Second XI Championship.
A chance in the First XI soon followed as he was picked for a Vitality Blast clash against Surrey at Utilita Bowl.
Prest then became a regular in the T20 side and played a crucial role in helping Hampshire to their first Finals Day since 2017, including scoring what turned out to be a crucial 44 in the quarter-final against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
He also featured in two First-Class matches for Hampshire during 2021 – as a replacement for captain James Vince who was called up to England duties, before making his full debut against Gloucestershire in the impressive win at Cheltenham – and opened the batting in the Royal London Cup.
An England Under 19 debut came in September 2021 and soon after he was selected as captain of the Young Lions for the U19 World Cup in early 2022. Prest scored 292 runs – including an unbeaten 154 against United Arab Emirates – as he guided his team to the final where they narrowly lost to India.
On his return to Hampshire, Prest was again given the chance in the 2022 Vitality Blast and again proved his potential in white ball cricket. Batting at three, the all-rounder scored 316 runs with three half-centuries to help the Hawks to a third T20 triumph. His most important innings came on Finals Day as he made 64 in the semi-final against Somerset to earn himself the Player of the Match award.
His performances were just as enthralling in the Royal London Cup where, with many important players missing, Prest led the team in runs scored with 402 at an average of 44.66. The highlight of his 50 over campaign came at Canterbury where he made a career best 181 against Kent.
The all-rounder was continued to show his potential in 2023, making contributions across all three formats. Despite missing much of the Vitality Blast through injury, he was part of the Hawks side which qualified for a record tenth Finals Day.
In the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Prest racked up 425 runs at an average of 47.22, with one century and three scores over 50. However, the side fell just short in the final, finishing as eventual runners-up.
Prest was also given five appearances in the County Championship and made his maiden First-Class century during the first innings of a dramatic win over Essex at Chelmsford.
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