GLOUCESTERSHIRE have announced that Hamish Marshall has been awarded a benefit year in 2015 for his ongoing commitment to the club, both on and off the field.

Marshall is an incredibly stylish middle-order batsman who played 13 Tests and 66 One-Day Internationals for New Zealand, making three International centuries.

However, in 2007 he gave up his international career to move to the West Country and play permanently for Gloucestershire under an Irish Passport.

Marshall made his Test debut against South Africa in December 2000 making an unbeaten 40, batting at number seven. However, he had to wait for another three years to get his second chance - he was called up for the One-Day Series in Pakistan in 2003-04.

In his third game he scored an impressive 101 not out in Faisalabad.

He then helped New Zealand to win the 2003-04 home One-Day Series against South Africa and played in the 2004 NatWest Series in England. He scored 75 not out and 55 in the group matches before making 44 as New Zealand won the final against West Indies.

His maiden Test century, 146, came in March 2005 against Australia. This was followed by an impressive 160 which came at the hands of the Sri Lankans in April and sparked the interest of Gloucestershire who, in November 2005, signed him and his team-mate Shane Bond for 2006.

Marshall’s career with Gloucestershire began as an overseas player, where he scored 1,218 runs at an average of 60.90. He also made 102 against Worcestershire on debut.

In 2006 he also made his highest score for the county, 168 against Leicestershire at Cheltenham. He then signed permanently for Gloucestershire for the following 2007 season.

In 2012 he averaged 37.36 in a horrendously wet season but found the going far easier in 2013, where again he made over 1,000 runs in a season, including four centuries.

In domestic one-day cricket he made centuries in the Pro40 against Sussex in 2007 and also against Middlesex in 2008.

He struck a Twenty20 century against Worcestershire as Gloucestershire went all the way to the 2007 final and in 2011, along with Kevin O'Brien, he played in the first T20 innings where two players had scored centuries.

Gloucestershire made 254-3 against Middlesex - this mammoth total at Uxbridge also broke the domestic T20 record.

Marshall captained Gloucestershire during the 2012 Twenty20 competition, making the quarter-finals. He is also currently vice-captain of the club.

A Gloucestershire spokesperson said: "Everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket wishes him well for a much deserved Benefit Year."

For more information please contact Ian Saxelby or Bernadette Bracewell via email – marshysbenefit2015@gmail.com or check out the Hamish Marshal Benefit Website here for all benefit and event news.