 Lumb's father Richard played for Yorkshire between 1970-84 |
Yorkshire left-hander Michael Lumb has rejected the offer of a new contract at Headingley to join Hampshire. The 26-year-old South African born batsman made his debut in 2000 and passed 1,000 runs in the 2003 season.
He was the only ever-present in the 2006 Championship campaign, averaging 41, and said: "I'd like to thank all at Yorkshire for their support.
"But the opportunity to reignite my desire to play at the highest level was too much to turn down."
Lumb scored two centuries and seven fifties last season, with a career-best 144 against Middlesex at Southgate in June.
He did not fare as well in Division Two of the Pro40 league, reaching fifty only once and averaging 19 from seven innings.
Yorkshire, who have completed the notable signing of Pakistan batsman Younis Khan and are set to secure the services of former Sussex captain Chris Adams, are still in talks with batsman Anthony McGrath over a new deal.
Chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We are very disappointed to lose a player of Michael's undoubted ability and potential, but despite lengthy talks to persuade him his future was with us, we fully respect his decision."
Hampshire supremo Rod Bransgrove told BBC Radio Solent of his delight at the transfer of Lumb, who is qualified to play for England.
"We were looking to bolster what was already a pretty effective batting line-up, and from 2008 of course we are only allowed one overseas player, so we're very pleased to have secured another high-performing middle order batsman," he said.
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