Tristan Stubbs: Hampshire Sign South Africa Star for T20 Blast

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South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs is rapidly becoming a hot commodity in franchise cricket, securing deals with both Hampshire and Southern Brave just months after leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a SA20 title. The infrastructure conglomerate GMR Group, wich co-owns Delhi Capitals, became Hampshire’s majority shareholders in late 2024, acquiring Rod Bransgrove’s stake for nearly £120 million, and later took a 49% stake in Southern brave.

Stubbs, averaging 52.15 with a strike rate of 170.78 across his last two seasons with Delhi Capitals, will return for a third IPL campaign next month. His simultaneous signings with Hampshire and Southern Brave underscore the growing trend of multi-club contracts within the world of franchise cricket.

Did you know? – Multi-club contracts are becoming increasingly common as franchise owners seek to maximize player value and streamline talent across their portfolios. This allows players extended playing seasons and increased earning potential.

Stubbs’ connection to Hampshire extends beyond the cricket pitch; he captained Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) to victory in the SA20 last month. He has a strong working relationship with both Adi Birrell (SEC’s head coach) and Russell Domingo (assistant coach), with Domingo now serving as Hampshire’s head coach this season.

“Tristan is a hugely talented player with strong connections to the club through his time at Delhi Capitals and his relationships with our coaches, past and present,” said Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket. “He’s a fantastic addition, and having him involved is a massive boost for both our squad and the competition as a whole. We can’t wait to see him light up the Bowl.”

Stubbs was among the four direct signings made by Southern brave ahead of next month’s Hundred auction,joining Jofra Archer,Jamie Smith,and Marcus Stoinis. While GMR has chosen not to rebrand the franchise,Southern Brave’s green kit will be updated to reflect the blue-and-red color scheme of Delhi Capitals.

pro tip – Players with strong relationships with coaches often find smoother transitions to new teams. Stubbs’ existing rapport with Birrell and Domingo should aid his integration into both Hampshire and Southern Brave.

Following the conclusion of the IPL in May, Stubbs will join Hampshire for the Blast and remain in Southampton for nearly three months, extending his stay through the end of The Hundred, capitalizing on a period with limited international commitments for South Africa. The Blast runs from May 26 to July 18, with The Hundred following from July 21 to August 16.

Hampshire has now secured both permitted overseas players for the Blast, having previously announced the return of Hilton Cartwright, the Australian middle-order batter, who played a pivotal role in their run to the final last summer.

Why: tristan Stubbs, a rising star in franchise cricket, has signed with both hampshire and Southern Brave. This move is driven by his talent, existing relationships with key personnel, and the strategic interests of GMR Group, the owner of both Delhi Capitals and critically important stakes in Hampshire and Southern Brave.

Who: The key players are Tristan Stubbs (South African cricketer), Hampshire County Cricket Club, southern Brave (The Hundred franchise), GMR Group (infrastructure conglomerate and franchise owner), Giles White (Hampshire’s director of cricket), Adi Birrell and Russell Domingo (coaches), and Hilton Cartwright (Hampshire player).

What: stubbs has secured contracts with both Hampshire for the T20 Blast and Southern Brave for The Hundred. This is part of a growing trend of multi-club contracts in franchise cricket, facilitated by GMR Group’s ownership structure.

How did it end?: The signing process culminated in Stubbs committing to both teams, with his arrival at Hampshire scheduled after the IPL in May. He will play in the Blast and then continue through The Hundred, taking advantage of a period of limited international duty for South Africa