MICHAEL Bates is determined to bounce back from his Hampshire heartbreak.

Homegrown Bates is one of the finest wicketkeepers in county cricket, but after helping Hampshire to four trophies in five years he is on his way.

Hampshire supporters reacted angrily to news of his departure at dailyecho.co.uk.“Bates has been brought through the Hants Academy system and then ditched!”said one. “I am disgusted with Michael Bates’ treatment,”wrote another.

Bates told the Daily Echo he is hoping to find another county after moving out of his Southampton flat to his parents’ home in Yateley yesterday. “It’s a great shame things didn’t work out differently,” said the 23 year-old. “I’ve known for a good couple of months but that hasn’t made leaving any easier.

“I love Hampshire and would have loved to end my career there.”

Bates’ future at Hampshire was under threat from the moment Adam Wheater was signed from Essex 18 months ago.

Wheater’s improved wicketkeeping and the progress made by Tom Alsop and Lewis McManus made releasing Bates a logical decision for coach Dale Benkenstein.

He said: “I don’t need four keepers and this means I can get another bowler. It just makes sense."

Bates bears no bitterness towards Wheater. “Me and Adam got on well,” he said. “I was always determined to get my spot back and feel I did myself proud, but it obviously wasn’t enough.

“It’s very sad but that’s professional sport. It’s important to look forward now. I’ve got a lot more to give and am still very optimistic that I’ll find somewhere.”

As well as being a joy to watch behind the stumps, Bates made 1,031 LV County Championship runs for Hampshire at 19.82, including 828 at 24.3 in the last three seasons.

“My batting’s on the way up, my stats are only going in one direction,” he said. “I’m constantly learning more about myself and my game.

“Hopefully someone will realise what I’ve got to offer and that my skills are only going to improve.

“Hampshire are doing all they can to help me find another county and I’ve got my agent on the case as well.”

It is only a year since Hampshire released another talented young wicketkeeper-batsman. Adam Rouse is now working as a personal trainer, despite impressing as a stand-in for Gloucestershire this year.

“It’s very competitive, opportunities are very limited,” admitted Bates, who will be playing grade cricket in Perth this winter. “All I can do is be ready to take one should it become available.”

He leaves with happy memories. A significant factor in the Friends Life t20 triumph of 2010 and the double success of 2012, he also scored a Championship century against Yorkshire at Headingley.

“When those things happen you take them for granted but it’s nice to look back on what I’ve achieved,” he said.

“I also played a part in promotion this year and winning the title was a nice way to end, we had a brilliant night in Cardiff.

“I was nine when I first played for the under-tens with Danny Briggs and Chris Wood and will always be a Hampshire lad at heart. I’ve made friends for life.”