Former Hampshire star Billy Taylor is in action at The Ageas Bowl for the first time in seven years - as an umpire.

Southampton-born Taylor, who lives a short walk from the ground in Hedge End, has started his first season on the full umpires' list by officiating in Hampshire's pre-season friendly against Cardiff UCCE.

It is the first first-class match he has been involved in at the Ageas Bowl since making the last of his 26 Hampshire appearances, against Sussex, his first county, in April 2009.

The former Bitterne Park schoolboy, who took 65 first-class wickets at 31 apiece for Hampshire, had officiated in 13 first-class matches in four years on the reserve list before being promoted in January, as a replacement for Mark Benson.