HAMPSHIRE have awarded a scholarship to Shipton-under-Wychwood’s young wicket-keeper batsman Calvin Dickinson.

The 19-year-old South African born cricketer caught the eye having been a prominent performer for Oxford MCCU and was a member of the Oxford Brookes side which won the BUCS 50-over Cup at Lord’s.

The former St Edward’s School, Oxford, pupil was the top run-scorer for Shipton in Division 2 of the Home Counties Premier League last summer.

Dickinson was one of four young players awarded scholarships which will see the quartet start their winter training programmes at the Ageas Bowl in November before heading to Durban – Dickinson’s birthplace – to continue their development in January.

The players will link up with former Hampshire head coach Dale Benkenstein in South Africa, before returning to the UK in March to begin their final preparations for the 2017 season.

All four players will then start the season as part of the Hampshire Second XI.

Hampshire’s director of cricket Giles White said: “Calvin is someone we are pleased to have on board, having performed well for Oxford MCCU and MCC Universities last year – this is a good opportunity for the guys and one that they are looking forward to getting stuck into.”