Hampshire have re-signed former England batsman Owais Shah for the NatWest T20 Blast.

The 36-year old made 156 runs at 52 in six T20 appearances after signing a match-to-match contract with Hampshire last season.

But he will be available for the entirety of this year's tournament.

Only Chris Gayle, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Brendon McCullum, David Warner and Suresh Raina have made more career T20 runs than the 5,096 Shah has scored at an average of 33.5 and a strike rate of 125.3.

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “Owais made a big impact with us last year, he scored his runs and was also popular around the club.

"He is available for the entire tournament which allows us the opportunity to form a settled side that finds its pattern of play; experience tells us that this is important in this format of the game.”

Owais Shah said: “I really enjoyed my time at Hampshire last season, I got on well with the players and coaches so I’m glad to be a part of the club again this year, and for a longer period as well.

"It was frustrating to go out in the semi-finals last season but the talent is there to go one further this year and I believe we can do it.”

Hampshire have released Matt Coles but they will also have Gareth Berg, Jackson Bird and Yasir Arafat available for the T20 Blast.