All-rounder Benny Howell has rejected a new contract with Gloucestershire and will leave at the end of the season after 10 years at the club, to join Hampshire where he began his county career.
The 33-year-old joined Gloucestershire in 2012 after a spell with Hampshire, and has made 277 appearance across all competitions, scoring 6,701 runs and taking 312 wickets.
Performance Director Steve Snell said the club made a “competitive offer” to keep Howell but his mind has been made up, and Hampshire's desire to sign him is reflected by the fact he's been given a three-year deal which takes him into his mid-30s.
“Benny has been a terrific cricketer for Gloucestershire over the last 10 years,” said Snell. “Not only has he been an exciting and entertaining player to watch, to an extent he has redefined the art of T20 medium-paced bowling and in some respects is a pioneer.
“Naturally we are disappointed he is leaving us, especially as we made an extremely competitive offer to try to keep Benny at Gloucestershire.
“I’d like to thank him for his magnificent contribution to Gloucestershire; he will be missed by everyone at the Seat Unique Stadium.”
Howell was a member of the side which defeated Surrey in 2015 to win the Royal London One-Day Cup at Lord’s. On his arrival in Bristol, Howell featured heavily in Gloucestershire’s first-class team and, in 2013, he made nearly 600 runs and took 30 wickets.
Despite having made 85 appearances, scored 3,284 runs and claimed 96 first-class wickets between 2012 and 2019, Benny is best-known as a T20 specialist and in recent seasons has solely been used in the white-ball game, having scored 1,724 runs and claimed 142 wickets in 119 T20 matches.
His best bowling performance in the 20-over format came in the Vitality Blast in 2019, when he took 5-18 v Glamorgan at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival.
In this season’s Vitality Blast, Howell made 13 appearances and finished with the second-best batting average, second only to Glenn Phillips, and had best bowling economy rate, 6.93, claiming 11 wickets.
Howell said: “Gloucestershire has been more than just a cricket club to me, it’s been a home. For that, I will be forever grateful. I have met many wonderful people, from the fans to everyone behind the scenes, the coaches and most of all, my teammates.
“They’re the guys I will miss the most. I have made friends for life and will always consider them family.
“Unfortunately, in life and in sport, nothing lasts forever. It has not been an easy decision for me, but I feel it has been a necessary one. I am deeply grateful to all the wonderful fans who have been the backbone of Gloucestershire and have shown such incredible support.
“I wish Gloucestershire every success in the future, and I have faith that the new management will do their absolute best to enable that.”
Howell has also contributed significantly in List A cricket. In 73 appearances he has scored 1,693 runs at an average of 33.86, and has taken 74 wickets at an average of at least one per innings.
His consistent good performances in a Gloucestershire shirt saw him rewarded with his first international call-up earlier this month as he made 40 off 33 balls and took 3-58 for England Lions in an 50-over game against South Africa at Worcester.
