Royals appointment for Cork

Hampshire have appointed veteran Dominic Cork as captain for the forthcoming season.

Cork took over the leadership of the side midway through last season after Dimitri Mascarenhas succumbed to an Achilles injury.

And with his fellow all-rounder still on the road to recovery - as well as serving a 14-day ban from the start of the season after a Twitter attack on England national selector Geoff Miller - 39-year-old Cork will continued to lead the county in all competitions.

The former England international said: "It's a great honour to be asked to captain Hampshire in what should be one of the most exciting years in the club's history."

Hampshire manager Giles White added: "Dom's appointment gives us continuity and he is a natural successor given the team's achievements under his leadership in 2010."