HAMPSHIRE have released Joe Gatting along with seamers Tom Barber and Basil Akram.

Gatting, 27, is on his way despite topping Hampshire’s LV County Championship averages this season with 280 runs at 46.66 from four appearances.

Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein told Radio Solent: “Joe was signed to fill a gap when Carbs was in the England set up and he has filled a role there.

"But we’ve got a few young players we feel are ready in [Tom] Alsop, [Lewis] McManus and [Joe] Weatherley.

“Because of that we feel it’s time to give those guys an opportunity.

"Gatt hasn't done enough to say he’ll be in the starting line up if everyone is fit next year.

“He’s made some good contributions and hopefully that will get him another county.”

Homegrown Barber, 20, dismissed Yorkshire duo Kane Williamson and Andrew Gale on his competitive debut for the county last August, but the left-arm seamer from Bournemouth has not featured since.

Benkenstein added: “The first time I saw Tom he bowled really quick but he hasn’t managed to do it consistently and progress as we hoped in other areas of his game.

"Stevenson and Wheal have gone ahead of him."

Akram, 22, signed last year but Benkenstein added: “Basil's a slightly different case.

"He's been at university and will play overseas this winter.

"I may even look after him in South Africa and the club's interested in trialling him again so it's not all doom and gloom for him."