One-day form pleases Hants' Adams

Jimmy Adams says his one-day batting has improved

Hampshire's Jimmy Adams believes his batting in one-day cricket has improved this season.

The 29-year-old left-hander recently took the place of the more experienced John Crawley at the top of the order.

Adams has scored 269 runs in six one-day innings since being a surprise choice for the Friends Provident Trophy win at Nottinghamshire two weeks ago.

He told BBC Radio Solent: "This year has gone great and my game has moved on a bit to enable me to play better."

Adams added: "It's great playing one-day cricket, it gives you a chance to go out there and play shots."

The Winchester-born batsman made his debut back in 2002 but had played just 36 matches in all shortened forms of the game before the start of this season, compared to 71 appearances at first-class level.

"I've not found one-day cricket very easy in the past," said Adams. "Some of that is because I had aimed towards the four-day game.

I don't think it's anything to do with my physique or anything. I've got a bit more of a cricket swing that allows me to hit the ball

Jimmy Adams

"But I'd spent the winter trying to free myself up and after a few tweaks it's nice to know the guys in the dressing room know you can do it too."

Adams immediately repaid the selectors' faith after being included at Trent Bridge, hitting an unbeaten 73 in his side's 10-wicket victory.

Three days later he scored 76 as Hampshire defeated Middlesex in the quarter-finals to set up an away semi-final tie at Lancashire early next month.

He was at it again in the first Twenty20 Cup match of the season, making 68 not out in Hampshire's victory over Sussex.

And on Sunday he shared an opening stand worth 92 in just nine overs with Micheal Lumb in their latest victory over Surrey at the Rose Bowl.

Adams added: "I find I hit the ball slightly cleaner now. Before, if I didn't hit it, the ball would dribble out to around the 30-yard circle. Now it goes further.

"One guy said to me recently, 'Jimmy's finally learnt to hit the ball off the square', and that's the essence of it really.

"I don't think it's anything to do with my physique or anything. I've got a bit more of a cricket swing that allows me to hit the ball.

"Last year I wouldn't have been able to do some of the stuff I've done this season."