THE Hawks are back!

Hampshire County Cricket Club will be returning to their T20 roots this summer as the side has announced they are to play as Hampshire Hawks once again.

Fans will remember the Hawks from the turn of the century, with players like Shane Warne, Dimitri Mascarenhas, and Michael Carberry all playing with the famous Hawks crest.

The Hawks name is also synonymous with the side's limited-over history. Between 2003 and 2009 the side used the name in both white-ball formats, winning the ever-name-changing 40-over competition in 2005 and 2009. The Hawks also contested the first ever T20 match following the format’s inception in 2003.

Daily Echo: Hampshire wore the Hawks crest for 40-over competitions (left) and T20 (right) between 2003 and 2009Hampshire wore the Hawks crest for 40-over competitions (left) and T20 (right) between 2003 and 2009

But, from 2010 to 2013, the club adopted the new name of the Hampshire Royals following a partnership with IPL side, Rajasthan Royals. In 2014 the club rebranded across all its formats as Hampshire Cricket.

Now, the club will be bringing the famous name back for the T20 competition. It will remain as Hampshire Cricket for the County Championship and other white-ball cricket.

Hampshire Hawks will kick off their T20 campaign away at Kent Spitfire on June 9.

A statement on the club's website read: "Hampshire Cricket are delighted to announce the return of the Hampshire Hawks for T20 cricket, starting from this summer’s Vitality Blast.

"The reintroduction of the Hawks is part of an exciting brand identity reveal which includes the unveiling of a new crest and New Balance playing shirt ahead of the 2021 T20 campaign.

"The Hawks’ reintroduction comes hot-on-the-heels of the announcement confirming fans can return to sports arenas from Monday May 17 and follows record-breaking demand for tickets and passports for this summer's Vitality Blast fixtures at The Ageas Bowl."