HAMPSHIRE Cricket have given Lewis McManus the green light to turn out for Minor Counties neighbours Dorset.

The 21-year-old is expected to be available for Dorset’s Unicorns Knockout Trophy campaign, which starts against Berkshire on Sunday.

Poole-born wicketkeeper-batsman McManus could also feature in a couple of Dorset’s championship fixtures, Hampshire commitments permitting.

McManus, who played for Lymington in the Southern Premier League last season, is the son of former Swanage Town & Herston and Dorchester Town footballer Andy McManus.

He progressed through the ranks with Dorset before joining the Hampshire Cricket Academy and was named in the England under-19 squad for the 2014 World Cup.

McManus impressed with the bat and behind the stumps during two first-team appearances for Hampshire in 2015.

Under immense pressure from a rampant Durham bowling attack, his plucky maiden Championship half-century saw Hampshire through to what proved to be a vital draw in a season where they stayed up on the last day.