Benkenstein leaves Hampshire for family reasons

Dale Benkenstein, Hampshire's head coach, has left the club with immediate effect because of family pressures. He leaves Hampshire two months from the end of a season in which they lie at the foot of Division One of the Championship and have failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast for the first time in eight years.

Benkenstein, who led the club to two T20 Blast Finals Days and a 4-day promotion during his two-and-a-half years in charge, said "I have loved every minute of my time at Hampshire. It is with genuine regret that I leave at this time but the extended periods of separation from my family responsibilities in South Africa have become increasingly more difficult for me and my wife and they need to be my priority at this time.

"I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and beyond and I would like to place on record, my sincere thanks to Giles White and the Management team for the honourable way in which they have handled this situation."

White, Hampshire director of cricket, Giles White said: "We are naturally disappointed to be losing Dale at this stage of the season. However, we have been aware of the difficulties he has encountered and understand his decision to step down.

"He has worked tirelessly over the last two and a half seasons and we would like to thank him for all of his hard work and wish him well for the future."

Hampshire have no plans for an immediate replacement. Until further notice, Dale's first XI coaching responsibilities will be absorbed by the other members of the professional coaching team.